Democrat Zack Space and Republican Joy Padgett intend to use their different backgrounds to generate economic growth in District 18.Space, 45, has been the law director for the city of Dover since 2000, practiced private law for 20 years and ran several small businesses.

“I have an intimate, working knowledge of the needs of small towns,” Space said. “I represent a face of change. I am not a political ladder-climber like my opponent.”

Padgett, 59, of Coshocton, serves Ohio in the state Senate and was the director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia from 1999 to 2004. She also served four terms as an Ohio House Representative and is a former high school teacher.

“I have the experience to go to Washington and hit the ground running,” Padgett said. “(Being a House Representative) is more than voting; you have to know how to work with (federal) agencies to bring their resources back to your region.”

Both candidates said they would support legislation to help revitalize the economy of Southeast Ohio with alternative energy research and production. Space sees higher education as a key to the development of alternative energy, while Padgett wants to use a role in the federal government to create an economic environment more conducive to job growth.

The two promote opposing views on the war in Iraq, as Padgett wants to continue fighting in Iraq to help win the war on terrorism, but Space advocates a measured withdrawal of U.S. forces to help stabilize the region.

Padgett, as a former teacher, and Space, as a parent of two children, agree that lowering tuition costs and making college more accessible to the people of the 18th District should be priorities.