James Wensits has an article in yesterday’s South Bend Tribune on the Second District race between incumbent Republican Chris Chocola and Democratic challenger Joe Donnelly. A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called that race a very important race and said that the DCCC believes that Chocola is in trouble.
The organization named Chocola as the recipient of its “GOP Crony of the Week” award.
According to Van Hollen, Chocola has consistently voted to put the interests of “big oil” ahead of those of his constituents.
In particular, Van Hollen cited last year’s energy bill which, he said, provided billions in subsidies to the oil and gas industry at a time when prices were rising.
According to Van Hollen, Chocola opposed an amendment to the energy bill that would have removed $500 million over 10 years to fund an “Ultra-Deep Water and Unconventional R&D” program, which grants subsidies to oil companies that engage in deep water drilling.
Chocola called the DCCC pronouncement a “partisan attack,” which, of course, it is. But, all the same, that doesn’t make it untrue. Chocola defended his energy policy record by, among other things, noting that on Thursday he voted in favor of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Way to stand up to Big Oil, Chris. That’ll show ’em.
Here is the link to the DCCC’s page listing Chris Chocola’s ties to the Republican party’s most troubling votes and party members. All of the votes and transactions are documented, as you can see at the bottom of the page. Hard to squeeze out of this one, Chris.
When you are an incumbent, your voting record is a double edged sword, baby.