In his second run for congress, Rochester resident Brian Davis said he would again focus on solutions to issues varying from immigration and health care to energy.

“As an engineer and doctor, I’m used to looking at the problems we have in energy and health care,” the Republican said. “Then with the 2006 election, I saw the direction Congress was going … and decided that it was time for me to step up to the plate.”

Davis, a radiologist oncologist, lost the 2006 election to Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., in the state’s first district race. He repeated a similar platform for his bid this year: reducing energy prices through greater focus on U.S. drilling, nuclear power and coal production; market-driven federal policy on health care; and increased enforcement of illegal immigration.

Of the first, Davis said higher gas prices have placed a strain on every level of the economy, from the farmer to the stock market. He proposes more exploration for off-shore drilling and continued safe production in Alaska, which he believes will ultimately decrease prices for the American consumer.

“I don’t think that the people of southern Minnesota can handle two more years of high gas prices,” he said.

To temper electricity costs, Davis believes Minnesota should eliminate the moratorium on nuclear power and boost clean coal use, which he said has reduced emissions by 95 percent in the last 30-40 years. He somewhat dismissed coal’s reputed connection to global warming, saying that history shows dramatic climate changes, such as the Ice Age, unconnected to humankind.

“I don’t think the evidence is conclusive that it was caused by man,” he said.

In his long-time field — health care — Davis said a major step is ensuring more cost transparency, thus allowing consumers to shop for elective procedures, and teaching them the market value of their care.

“We have a third party system, so they don’t see the cost of care,” he said.

Davis also advocates for more uniformity nationwide in the health insurance sector, which he believes would allow companies more opportunity to operate across state lines, thus increasing competition and reducing cost.

“We have the best health care system in the world,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it’s perfect … but I think a free market works best.”

He also recommends more consistency in medical research funding for entities like the Hormel Institute, which can experience interruptions in research as grants periodically become smaller and less available.

“I know it’s a competitive market,” Davis said. “I think what I’d like to see with the government is that they keep a very steady funding amount as long as it yields results.”

Davis is also looking for results on immigration laws, which he worries hasn’t been strongly enforced by the federal government.

The hopeful said he does not endorse amnesty, and would like to see a border fence built, along with opportunities for local police and sheriff departments to enforce federal immigration policy.

“Immigration has been good to this country, but it needs to be done legally,” he said.

On the issue of Iraq, Davis would like to see more authority given to Iraqis, and opposes a timetable for withdrawal.

“I think that in Iraq and Afghanistan and across the world, we need to stay on the offensive to combat radical Islam,” he said.

He proposes instead a memorandum to the people of Iraq, in which they would vote on whether the U.S. stays or goes. If they were to vote that the military remain, Davis said, then terms should be negotiated, as they have been in other countries, for possible compensation and decreased security levels.

“I would rather see that than some backdoor agreement or deal,” he said.

According his Web site, Davis has scaled back his medical practice in order to pursue the congressional seat. In the winter of 2007, he was elected treasurer of the Olmsted County Republican Party, and serves on multiple medical boards.