Edwards' Record in the Senate Proves He Is Not a Supporter of Issues Important to Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 4, 2003 -- As Democratic candidate John Edwards speaks before the Transport Workers Union in Tulsa today, Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones asked Oklahoma voters to consider his record on issues important to Oklahomans before pledging their support for his presidential campaign.

"John Edwards' own voting record in the Senate proves that he does not support Oklahoma's auto industry or Oklahoma's energy industry," said Jones.

Four times, Edwards voted in favor of increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), legislation that is not only opposed by the auto worker unions like the UAW, but puts thousands of good-paying jobs in Oklahoma at danger of going overseas.

"John Edwards is also against the expansion of domestic drilling which is vital to the Oklahoma economy and the thousands of Oklahomans working in the oil and gas industry," Jones said.

In the U.S. Senate, Edwards voted against ANWR exploration in Alaska four times, even though many transportation or autoworker unions support the issue. James Hoffa, President of the Teamsters Unions, said he and his union members support domestic drilling in Alaska saying, "We are for ANWR ... we need the gasoline, we need the fuel from Alaska."

"I hope the Transport Workers Union is not fooled by John Edwards," Jones said. "Our auto worker and transportation jobs are important to Oklahoma and need to be protected. Furthermore, Mr. Edwards doesn't support Oklahoma's oil and gas industry and Oklahomans need to know about his anti-Oklahoma voting record."