It’s the economy, according to both the Democrat and Republican candidates for the Third Congressional District.

Incumbent Republican Congressman Phil English, who has served seven terms in the House, met Democrat challenger Kathy Dahlkemper, a political newcomer, Wednesday at Allegheny College’s Ford Memorial Chapel for their first debate.

“The economy is the number one issue,” said Dahlkemper. “We’ve seen tens of thousands of jobs leave. Are you better off today than when he took office?”

English agreed the economy is a big issue.

He said he’s been an advocate for trade law reform and for cracking down on unfair trade policies by China that have hurt U.S. manufacturing.

English pointed out trade legislation he sponsored singling out unfair trade practices by China passed in the House two years ago, “but not this Congress” which is controlled by Democrats.

To help bring jobs to the region, English said he’s secured money for business incubators like Gannon University’s in Erie and training programs like those offered at the Precision Manufacturing Institute in Meadville.

English said there needs to be fundamental change in tax laws to help business and increase access to capital.

Dahlkemper, a small business owner, said she wants to take a proactive approach.

She said she’d push for investment in the energy technology sector, calling it the “next big growth industry.” There are signs of it already in the region, Dahlkemper said, citing alternative energy such as switchgrass being grown at Ernst Farms in Crawford County and General Electric’s new fuel efficient diesel locomotives developed in Erie.

English said the nation needs a comprehensive energy policy and is “frustrated we’re not getting a well-rounded energy bill.”

English said he supports development of wind, solar and renewable energy sources coupled with current sources.

“We need to make use of our natural resources — clean coal and drilling (for oil) off the Continental Shelf,” English said.

English said he voted against a recent energy bill in Congress because it was flawed and the bill would have put additional taxes only on domestic energy production, making energy costs more expensive.

Dahlkemper accused English of voting against alternative energy bills “time and time again” while he’s accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from oil companies.