Olathe, KS - Former State Representative Patricia Lightner, candidate for Congress in the 3rd District, has taken issue with Dennis Moore's recent vote to retain Charlie Rangel as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax law in the United States. Rangel is alleged to have failed to disclose sizeable sources of income and pay taxes on some rental properties.

"It really is unbelievable. In this time of economic struggle where Americans are facing strains on their pocketbooks, we should expect that our leaders in Congress would want a suspected tax cheat removed as Chairman of the committee that writes tax law. Dennis Moore had a chance for a common sense vote. Instead, Dennis Moore sided with power and sidestepped the issue," said Lightner.

Moore voted to squash a resolution by Rep. John Carter to remove Rangel as chairman. The resolution was supported by the other members of the Kansas Congressional delegation - Lynn Jenkins, Jerry Moran, and Todd Tiahrt.

Lightner said that the vote shows how out of touch Moore is from the people he represents.

"My opponent seems to simply not care about the 3rd District anymore. When he's putting Charlie Rangel over the interests of his constituents, it's pretty clear he's gone over the edge of the liberal cliff," she said.

Lightner, who is campaigning door-to-door throughout the 3rd District, said that people are becoming aware of Moore's voting record.

"I think he must believe people are not paying attention, given it's an off year. I've got news for him - the people are watching, and they don't like what they see. They want a change - and they are saying twelve years of Moore is just a bit too much."