Challenger responds to McHenry’s ‘dismal’ environmental record

10th District Republican candidate Ken Fortenberry called U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry’s record on the environment “dismal” after reading a post on this blog about a low rating given the congressman by the N.C. League of Conservation Voters.

The group put him second from the bottom among the state’s congressional delegation.

Fortenberry, a Lincoln County newspaper publisher, responded with his own environmental statement.

In it, he says he has a “deep love” for the outdoors and often visits state and national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.

He’s interested in conserving the environment and took exception to Obama’s comments last year that Republicans want dirtier air and dirtier water.

“In fact, the word ‘conservative’ itself speaks volumes about our responsibility as God’s stewards and our responsibility to ‘conserve’ and safeguard our natural resources for generations to come,” he said in his statement. “I believe that ‘true’ conservatives work for economic prosperity at the same time they work to ensure that our water and air are clean and safe.”

McHenry’s office declined to comment this week on the rating from the conservation group.

Read the full article here.