Hours before primary polls close, Porter strikes back on charges of absence

Hours before the polls closed in today’s primary, U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Boulder City) fired back against charges that he was spending too much time away from his home district.

“I do my job and I’m proud of it,” Porter said in a telephone interview. “My success has been very clear.”

Porter said that since taking leadership in 2007, Democrats had decided to make the House follow a five-day work week. He also noted that he had made it back to the district every week.

With the three-term Porter facing what is widely seen as his toughest opponent to today in state Sen. Dina Titus (D-Henderson), there have been rumbles that the Republican has been aloof. In a recently published article titled, “Where’s Porter? Don’t ask Titus, she’s busy,” the Las Vegas Sun noted that Porter hadn’t held any campaign events and had held few public events.

The congressman has also come under fire from his Democratic rival for the same issue.

"The people of the Third District have noticed that Jon Porter has been absent and out of touch with their priorities,” said Titus campaign spokesman Andrew Stoddard. “While he has been spending his time away from the district, Dina Titus has been knocking on doors, meeting with the voters, and proposing real solutions to the challenges they face."

Porter sees it differently.

“I’m an aggressive fundraiser, I work hard, and I’m proud of my accomplishments,” he said.

Porter and Titus face only menial opposition in their respective primaries today. Porter’s opposition include a Ron Paul presidential campaign activist while Titus’s rivals are a nurse, a chiropractor and a sanitation worker.

Previewing his campaign ahead, Porter said he was prepared to wage an effort focused on solutions to the problems of residents in the district. He noted his accomplishments in the areas of education and public health.

At the top of Porter’s agenda is the hot-button energy issue. The Republican, who last week took part in the GOP’s recess floor protest, was quick to point out his record of promoting solar energy.

And unafraid of drawing contrasts with his opponents, Porter accused the House Democratic leadership of focusing on raising taxes.

“I don’t think Nevada or America can afford Democrats or my opponent to be in charge,” he said.