By DOUG WILSON

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Congressional candidate Aaron Schock came to Quincy Wednesday to accept support from the Illinois Farm Bureau's ACTIVATOR political involvement fund.

"Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in the district and in the state in Illinois," Schock said.

He pledged to be a strong voice for agricultural interests, hoping to be named to the House Agricultural Committee if elected in November.

Schock, a Republican from Peoria, won the ACTIVATOR support after lengthy interviews for him and for Colleen Callahan, the Democratic nominee from Kickapoo. Both are vying for the 18th District congressional seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria. Seldon Schafer, a Green Party candidate from Peoria, is the third candidate in the race.

Terry Smith, a farmer from Clayton, said ACTIVATOR support can only be made if more than 75 percent of Farm Bureau participants in interviews weigh in for one candidate.

"It was a solid vote" for Schock, Smith said.

Schock said energy is the top issue for both rural and urban residents of the 18th District. He said $4 gasoline has created a financial hardship for everyone.

His energy plan calls for offshore drilling and exploration for oil and natural gas, drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve, streamlining of permits for nuclear power plants and clean-coal plants.

In addition, Schock said he wants to see incentives for biofuels, hydrogen technology, wind power and solar power.

Callahan's campaign has accused Schock of running from their challenge of a debate in all 20 counties before the Nov. 5 election. Schock said Callahan and he already are scheduled to be in several debates and were in several others during previous months.

-- dwilson@whig.com/221-3372