OTHELLO — Jay Clough announced he is running as a Democratic candidate against Congressman Doc Hastings, R-4th District.

He is hosting a meeting in Othello Saturday to meet with voters.

Clough is from Kennewick and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. On Saturday he will go door-to-door in Othello to introduce himself to voters. Afterward he is hosting a meeting at the Othello High School library from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The library is located at 340 S. Seventh Ave.

Clough said there are many reasons why he is running for the position.

He’s been interested in policy and ?politics since he was a teenager.

“I always wanted to serve in some way,” he explained.

Clough said he is worried Hastings is not doing enough to bring jobs to the district and has not developed a plan to attract employers.

“I see that we have a lot of problems in the district but there’s actually no one stepping up to address those problems,” Clough said.

He explained his goals for the position.

Clough wants to strengthen the agricultural economy by opening up trade markets oversea. He’s lived in several Asian countries and has witnessed firsthand the need to improve trade relationships.

He said although someone could buy a Washington apple or wine in China, the trade agreement needs to be improved along with protection against copy right infringements.

In Japan you can’t find Washington apples or wine due to trade restraints. He said the trade policy needs to be fair since the U.S. imports several Japanese products such as vehicles and electronics.

Clough added, in the U.S. someone can purchase an apple for roughly 50 cents while in Japan it can cost as much as $6. He said he wants to help Washington farmers get the most money for their produce by getting them into the Japanese market.

He said it is important to bring broadband communication to rural communities. Clough explained a rural student has less of a competitive edge with a student living in a major metropolitan area because of the lack of broadband Internet. He explained many classes use the Internet for assignments and students need access to learn and research.

He said access to broadband gives people more information about healthcare and could save people a trip to a medical center.

Clough explained he is qualified for the position because he represents the average citizen in Central Washington.

“I feel very strongly about serving my community,” he said.

He said he is middle class and works a 40 hour per week job at Hanford and understands what people in the district go through on a daily basis. Clough added he understands how congressional decisions affect citizens.

“I hope that people will give me a listen,” Clough said. “I represent Central Washington as far as my views go. I am pro-dam, I am pro-second amendment, I am pro-Hanford.”

He said he believes he can reach across all party affiliation lines and serve all voters.

For more information about Clough, go online and visit www.cloughforcongress.com.