It should be obvious to anyone who watched the presidential debate on Oct. 3 that the sorry state of the nation's economy is key for the voters in 2012. It also ought to be a criterion in selecting good, honest people for the House of Representatives.

In the 1st Congressional District, we have an incumbent, Rep. Rob Wittman, who has a strong record of working to get people back to work, to put a stop to out-of-control spending, and to make tough decisions on balancing the budget.

Rob's record includes supporting the JOBS Act to provide small-business relief from excessive regulation and make it easier to create jobs. He has also voted against increasing the debt limit and supports finding ways to solve the long-term federal spending problem.

He has supported the SAFE Commission Act, which provides a commission to address the economic crisis by putting entitlements, tax policy, and all federal programs up for debate. The bill provides that Congress vote yes or no on the commission's recommendations.

He helped lead the fight for earmark reform and pledges to work to reform the appropriations process.

It makes no sense to change our 1st District leadership with an unknown when we already have one of the most competent, hard-working, and approachable members of Congress now.

We urge all 1st District voters to vote for Rob Wittman on Nov. 6.

Barbara and Hugh Lovell

Irvington