Harold “Hal” Rogers, R-Somerset, will not be unopposed in his 15th bid to occupy the U.S. House of Representatives 5th Congressional District seat. Instead, a Laurel County man may give him a run for his money.

Jim Holbert, of Sublimity, announced his candidacy Monday. He is running as an Independent.

“For some time, I’ve been very concerned about the direction our region and our nation has taken,” he said. “We’re in a bad way at home and abroad. We need to put America first.”

Holbert’s Web site lists his stand on a number of issues.

He supports the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, feeling America’s objectives have already been met; is in favor of looking at alternatives for putting non-violent offenders in prison; and would like to see Social Security and Medicare benefits “strengthened for the present and secured for the future.”

“Social Security and Medicare, now and for the foreseeable future, will be the single most important retirement framework for the vast majority of Americans,” he writes.

One of the first issues listed on his Web site — and one of the first he mentions — is the matter of illegal immigration.

“Illegal immigrants send money ‘home’ to foreign countries that would otherwise be taxed, spent and invested or saved in America, and illegals incur health, social services and public safety costs which must be paid by taxes on Americans,” he writes.

“Existing immigration laws should be enforced vigorously, with a maximum effort toward identifying and prosecuting those who employ illegal immigrants. When em-ployees of illegals are punished, jobs for illegal immigrants will quickly go away, and illegal immigrants will rapidly ‘deport’ themselves.”

In terms of energy policies, Holbert said he is strongly in favor of coal gasification.

“Because I believe that renewable bio-fuels and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles recharged with electricity from clean-burning coal power plants and solar/wind power ... can liberate us from dependence on Middle Eastern oil, I also support a 10-year program for construction of wind- and solar-powered electricity generating facilities in Kentucky.”

Holbert, 55, has lived in Laurel County for the past three years. He works at the London-Corbin Airport as an emergency medical services helicopter pilot.

Holbert spent 22 years serving in various branches of the military, including the U.S. Army, U.S. National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard. He and his wife Cindy have been married for 33 years.

Holbert said he has not previously held a political office, and readily acknowledges his lack of experience.

“I realized we’ve set ourselves a steep hill to climb here, but I’m kind of old-fashioned and feel that if you go out and talk to people and make sense, they’ll pay attention to what you say and not your background,” he said.

His goal is to effect change for the 5th Congressional District — and the country at large.

“I am really running for Congress because it’s obvious you can’t do much locally or regionally unless you address what’s happened at the federal level,” he said.

The election is Nov. 4.



• For more information vis- it www. jimholbert2008.com.