Martha Roby said she felt like her voice wasn’t being heard in Washington D.C. So, she decided to do something about it by casting herself in the Second Congressional District race.

“I felt conviction this is a conservative seat, and our voices are not being heard,” Roby said.

Roby, a member of the Montgomery City Council, will compete against Rick Barber, Stephanie Bell and Beau McKinney for the Republican nomination in the June 1 primary. That victor will face Democrat incumbent Bobby Bright.

Roby said her priority if elected to office is to reduce spending and create jobs.

“I have a proven conservative record. I have fought against wasteful spending and tax increases,” Roby said. “Six of seven years Bobby Bright was mayor, I watched as spending increased.”

As a member of the council, Roby said she voted for the first budget drafted by Bright but against the other four because spending increased.

“That all runs parallel to what we see happening in Washington,” she said.

As part of reducing spending, Roby said she’d like to see reform in earmarking and accountability in entitlement programs.

And, Roby said if elected to the office she’d like to see the health care bill repealed.

“The health care bill in front of Congress had nothing to do with health care reform. It had everything to do with take over of our lives,” Roby said.

“I have signed a pledge to vote to repeal that bill.”

Roby said she believes creating competition among insurance companies by allowing people to purchase across state lines is just one of her ideas for using free market principles to bring reform.

Roby also said among her first tasks if elected to office is to vote for new House leadership.

“The very first vote in Congress and the House of Representatives is absolutely the most important — that is for the leadership,” Roby said.

“Bobby Bright voted to elect Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House.

“I think the most important thing is you elect a representative who will understand concerns…and be willing to listen.”