To kick it off, we asked incumbent Rep. Mary Bono Mack and the Democratic challenger, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, why they are running for Congress.

Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, declined to participate, saying she was focused on her Congressional duties and didn’t have time to provide responses at this time.

Pougnet provided the following answer:

“I am running for Congress because the people in this district deserve someone who will fight for them in Washington- to help create good jobs and get our economy back on track.

Unfortunately, while we face the toughest economic challenges of our lifetime, our current representative has opposed efforts to save and create jobs and cut taxes for hardworking families.

We need fresh, new leadership. I'm committed to finding practical, common sense solutions to the challenges we face.

I'm not a partisan politician, but a leader who works to get things done. As Mayor of Palm Springs, I helped create 1,100 jobs by starting a program to encourage hotels here to remodel or re-open. And other projects currently on tap will create 300 more jobs.

That's the kind of experience and meaningful leadership I'll bring to solve real problems here at home.”

The Desert Sun will continue the series online, discussing various federal issues during the campaign season.