State Rep. Jay Love, the Republican candidate for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, said cutting taxes and supporting small businesses will help stabilize the economy.

“Small and medium sized businesses are the economic engines of this country, they provide 80 percent of the jobs” Love said in a speech Wednesday before members of the Brundidge Rotary Club.

A tax increase for people making more than $250,000 a year would hurt many business owners, Love said, and an increase in the capital gains tax “make it difficult for businesses to compete globally.”

Love is a former owner of 16 Subway franchises in the Montgomery area and told Rotary Club members he would take his experience as a business owner to Washington.

“We need an aggressive tax policy that encourages investment in this country,” Love said. “I think we can cut taxes and the economy with grow.”

Love is vying for the 2nd District House seat against Democrat Bobby Bright, the mayor of Montgomery.

Noting the strong role of the military in the district, Love said if he elected, he has been promised by Republican House leadership a position on the Armed Service Committee.

“I am very committed to making sure the military missions of Ft. Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base stay secure,” Love said.

Love said he also anticipates serving on the House agriculture committee if elected. Encouraging domestic food production, and discouraging reliance on foreign food sources , “is a national security issue,” Love said.