America’s energy development continues to be a trending topic in the 2012 presidential campaign.

This week, about 12,000 potential voters joined Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Cuyahoga Falls. While the Governor discussed many topics during his visit, the focus on harnessing America’s oil and natural gas resources as a means to revitalize our economy and move towards energy security remained.

We are going to put people to work back the energy sector and it will also bring back manufacturing, taking advantage of our energy resources, will create 3 1/2 to 4 million jobs, we need them, I want them and we are going to get them in this country. – Governor Mitt Romney (10/9/12)

Number 1 we are going to take advantage of our oil, our gas and our coal… – Governor Mitt Romney (10/9/12)

As anyone who has survived a presidential campaign in Ohio could attest, our state is always a focal point of all parties, one flush with visits from both the candidates and their surrogates (and an inundation of television and radio ads).

This year is no different. All parties recognize the incredible potential development of Ohio’s natural resources in the Utica Shale holds for not only our return to prosperity, but also for America’s energy future.

Earlier this year, President Obama referenced this fact in the State of the Union Address, and both candidates dedicated time in their opening statements at the year’s first presidential debate.

“We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years, and my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy.” – President Barack Obama (State of the Union Address 1/24/12)

In the oft polarized tones of political campaigns, the development of Ohio’s – and America’s – oil and natural gas resources is one of the few issues enjoying bi-partisan support.

From Ohio’s senate candidates Treasurer Josh Mandel and Senator Sherrod Brown, to the top of the ticket in Governor Romney and President Obama, the safe, responsible extraction of our domestic energy supplies are a key part to all parties’ plans to rejuvenate our economy, and make America more secure.

Be sure to check back in for more election coverage here at eidohio.org. If history is our guide, these last few weeks should provide ample opportunity for Ohioans to hear from our candidates.

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