Candidate Access 2006 offered each candidate up to five minutes to make a special appeal to voters. Views and comments expressed by the candidates are their own and should not be considered an endorsement by the television stations.

Hello, I'm Congressman Patrick McHenry. I am currently your Congressional Representative here in the 10th District – and I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

When I ran for Congress two years ago, I pledged to uphold western North Carolina's conservative values – and my record shows that I kept my word.

I support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent and will continue fighting to protect the families of western North Carolina from methamphetamine.

My voting record is 100% pro-life and pro-Second Amendment.

While I am a proud Republican, there have been times when I opposed the President and the Republican leadership when I believed that they were wrong on issues of great importance to our state and region.

Voting against CAFTA and opposing the President's guest worker proposal for illegal aliens are two examples. I always put my constituents' best interests first.

My conservative voting record reflects the values we hold dear in western North Carolina – and I pledge to continue fighting for our values.

Western North Carolina is challenged today by illegal immigration. North Carolina is not a border state, but we are greatly impacted by those who choose to ignore our laws and enter our country illegally.

Illegal immigration threatens our national security and strains our healthcare facilities and schools systems. I believe the solution to the illegal immigration problem begins with securing our borders.

I've introduced and passed legislation that punishes countries harboring illegal aliens who kill law enforcement officers – and co-sponsored and passed legislation that will secure our borders by constructing a fence along America's southern border.

From immigration to job creation, I am fighting for you.

Cutting taxes will boost job creation by encouraging investment.

I've cosponsored bills to eliminate the Death Tax and prevent tax increases on small business owners, senior citizens and married couples.

Rest assured, I am fighting to secure the necessary federal funds to improve our roads and airports – so that more prospective employers will be attracted to our region.

Many politicians go to Washington and forget where they're from. I come home every weekend because the people of this district deserve a Congressman who is accessible.

From volunteer fire departments and churches to small businesses and our local community colleges, I've visited and listened to thousands of people in all 10 counties of the 10th District.

My service as your congressman and previous experience as a member of the state legislature have given me a firm understanding of the complex issues facing our region, state and nation.

This background makes me a more responsive and effective lawmaker. Again, I am Congressman Patrick McHenry – I appreciate your prayers and I ask for your support, help and vote on Tuesday, November 7th. Thank you and God bless.