The ADN asked Alaska candidates for Congress their views on a variety of issues. We're printing their responses between now and Election Day.

Q: The most important issue in this election is ...

U.S. SENATE

TED STEVENS

REPUBLICAN

TEDSTEVENS2008.COM

Energy. This energy crisis caused sky-rocketing prices across the state, destroying family budgets and putting our Alaskan way of life at risk. Fishermen can't afford to fish, rural Alaskans are migrating, and families choosing between groceries and fuel oil. To restore a vibrant economy, our priority must be to address the high cost of energy. We must develop our resources to create jobs and invest in hydropower, geothermal, and methane energy projects.

MARK BEGICH

DEMOCRAT

WWW.BEGICH.COM

Developing a comprehensive energy plan that reduces energy costs in the short term and investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce costs over the long term.

BOB BIRD

ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY

WWW.BIRDFORSENATE.COM

The loss of civil liberties caused by the endless military adventurism of the federal government. Without these liberties, all other considerations cannot be fought or debated.

FREDERICK "DAVID" HAASE

LIBERTARIAN

WWW.DAVIDFORALASKA.COM

A different issue to different people in different ways and they are all important every one of them. The most important one to me will be the ones I vote on. I plan to understand the issue and the legislation before I vote on it.

NOTE: Senate candidate Ted Gianoutsos (no party, www.tedandfran.com) says he is running on one issue: opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development, and chose not to answer individual issue questions.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DON YOUNG

REPUBLICAN

DONYOUNG08.COM

Energy. This issue affects every man, woman and child daily. It impacts our schools, hospitals and churches. The Democrat Congress has no plans to pass any bills that will improve the lives of Alaskans. I am pushing for a real energy policy, HR 6107, which takes care of our immediate energy needs but also looks to the future with alternative and renewable energy development. Alaskans should not have to choose between heat and groceries.

ETHAN BERKOWITZ

DEMOCRAT

WWW.ETHANBERKOWITZ.COM

The high cost of energy touches us all. It puts huge strains on families and businesses. We can transform this state and this country when we do energy right -- we can stimulate the economy by reducing utility bills and creating jobs. We can address climate change, and we can reduce America's dependence on foreign oil by developing Alaska's oil and gas, and renewables, like wind, tidal, and geothermal.