BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) With gas and diesel prices squeezing Central Valley families, congressional candidate Randy Villegas said the cost of living has become one of the biggest issues he is hearing about on the campaign trail ahead of the midterm elections.
“I mean we are seeing people struggle right now at the gas pump paying almost seven dollars, eight dollars and sixty cents for things like diesel,” Villegas said.
Villegas cites Central Valley cost pressures, points to Iran war ahead of midterms (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“I talked to a truck driver named Roy who told me he’s spending twelve hundred dollars a week to fill up his tank.”
Villegas also blamed rising fuel costs on international conflict, saying, “This war in Iran that is jacking up gas prices here in the Central Valley and all across the country setting record highs.”
If elected, Villegas said he would push to suspend federal fuel taxes.
“One thing we could do at the federal level is actually suspending the federal gas and diesel tax which makes a huge difference when people are trying to fill up their tanks especially for our truck drivers who help feed the country and help feed the rest of the world,” he said.
On broader energy policy, Villegas said he supports an “all of the above” approach that includes both traditional energy jobs and renewable energy.
“I support an all of the above energy approach,” Villegas said.
Villegas cites Central Valley cost pressures, points to Iran war ahead of midterms (KBAK/KBFX)
“You know my father-in-law drives a truck for the oil industry. And these are real people’s jobs and livelihood at stake, and I think we need to protect the jobs that we have while at the same time expanding in clean American renewable energy.”
Villegas also addressed immigration, calling for stronger border security while also supporting a pathway to citizenship.
“We need safe and secure boarders you know,” he said.
Villegas cites Central Valley cost pressures, points to Iran war ahead of midterms (Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images)
“CBP does a lot when it comes to inspections, specially produce. We need to make sure that while we have that, we also have a path to citizenship for folks who come here, who play by the rules, who haven’t committed any crimes.”