GOP contender for Giffords seat knocks Dem on energy costs

Republican Jesse Kelly unveiled a new television ad claiming that Democrat Ron Barber's support for cap-and-trade could lead to job losses and higher energy costs.

A source tracking the ad market in Arizona said Kelly's campaign has reserved about $70,000 in airtime this week, while Democrat Ron Barber's campaign is up with about $110,000 in ads.

"Ron Barber supports Obama's cap-and-trade bill that would increase energy costs by almost $1,000 per Arizona family, and cost up to 40,000 jobs here," says the narrator in the ad. "Arizona families can't afford Ron Barber."

The ad encourages viewers to visit Kelly's website, where he lays out an "all of the above" approach to energy policy — the same phrase President Obama uses to describe his approach.

Kelly supports increased domestic energy production from a range of sources — including coal, oil and natural gas — and has focused intensely on energy during his campaign. He opposes special subsidies to encourage renewable energy sources, arguing that solar companies shouldn't get any breaks that oil and coal companies don't get.

Barber also supports more domestic production and opposes higher taxes on energy. He has said tax breaks should be discontinued for oil companies, but that solar and other renewable energy sources should be incentivized.

“If Jesse Kelly thinks huge tax breaks for Big Oil are fair, maybe he’s been spending too much time in Texas,” said Barber spokeswoman Jessica Schultz. "At a time of record profits, Big Oil and Wall Street continue to increase the price of gas for middle-class Arizonans. They don’t deserve to be rewarded for that.”

Kelly faces Barber in a special election in June to replace former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who stepped down from the House in January.

Watch the ad:

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