[img_assist|nid=2703|title=Congressional candidate Jennifer Dougherty|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=224|height=193]ELDERSBURG – Former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty (D) spoke to a crowd of about 25 people Wednesday at a reception for her campaign for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. During her stump speech, Dougherty repeatedly told supporters to “vote your own interests.”

“Who is going to look out for your interests? Well I say ‘I will!’” she told the crowd.

Dougherty began her speech talking about education, but focused the majority of her time on energy. At one point, Dougherty told supporters she couldn’t promise to lower the price of gas, but emphasized the need for alternative energies such as bio-fuels.

In the final moments of her discussion, Dougherty mentioned her desire to debate in all eight counties in the district, but claimed her opponent, U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) had yet to agree. Dougherty called the differences between herself and Bartlett “as big as the Grand Canyon.”

Barlett has held the 6th district seat for seven terms.