Rick Daugherty, Democrat, recently announced he is seeking the seat now held by Charlie Dent in the 15th Congressional District.

Daugherty made the announcement at the IBEW Local 375 union hall in Allentown.

Daugherty said his No. 1 priority is to stop unfair trade, and he sees China and Mexico as the top culprits.

“Since the United States granted China most favored nation status as a trading partner in 2001, we have lost millions of jobs and have been flooded by products made In China.” Daugherty said. “This policy has been an economic disaster for many working families. It has to stop now.

“In Mexico, workers are paid pennies and have few rights.

“American companies who want to keep production here cannot compete with that. We need federal trade policy that sets tariffs that help us manufacture here, not send jobs overseas. Jobs coming back to America is my top priority in Congress.”

The candidate also discussed the Economic Policy Institute.

“The North American Free Trade Agreement and giving China most favored nation trade status cost us nearly one-third of our manufacturing jobs and over 80,000 factories closed,” he said. “Yet my opponent wants even more free trade agreements.”

Daugherty said most voters are beginning to realize the damage that free trade has caused and if he and others opposed to free trade are elected, Congress will have enough members to renegotiate trade deals so we benefit with more jobs and better jobs.

“This is one issue where I align with the Freedom Caucus of the Republican Party, and I welcome the opportunity to work with them,” Daugherty said. “China has been lying, cheating and stealing from us for ten years and we sit back and do nothing.”

“Congress determines trade policy. It will be my laser focus if elected.”

Daugherty said Congress is evenly divided on trade.

Those like Charlie Dent, his Republican opponent, value increased exports to China.

Those like himself see the trade deficit with China as an economic threat that must be reversed.

“In addition to damaging our economy it has increased China’s military threat to us,” Daugherty said. “Our money going to buy Chinese products has built their military to a point where China will be able to challenge us soon.”

Daugherty says he will fight to strengthen and improve Social Security and Medicare.

He says the wage cap on Social Security should be raised to ensure solvency for decades more, and he wants a separate cost of living adjustment measure in place that focuses on inflation for senior citizens.

He says a COLA should have been provided to senior citizens last year as their cost of living went up.

On Medicare, he opposes any type of voucher plan and instead wants the system to focus on providing better health outcomes for seniors.

Daugherty’s third main issue is to reduce the burden of student debt.

He wants students to be able to refinance at lower amounts and have a higher tax deduction for interest payments.

He wants to make college more affordable.

Daugherty, who works at a local senior center, lives in Lowhill Township.

He has three grown children.

He graduated from Catasauqua High School and Moravian College.

The former district administrator for retired Congressman Paul McHale, he is the former chairman of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee.