Soldiers, Spouses, Veterans Weigh In On Voting Issues - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Military families are opening up about the voting issues that matter to them most, and they have a lot to think about after Wednesday's presidential debate.

"When I go to the poll, I'm looking at the candidate that will support the military the most," said SSG Travis Leptrone.

Travis is following election season closely, and with a 7-week old baby girl, he's looking to a leader who has the Army's best interest at heart.

"There's a lot of families out here that, even in the military, are still struggling, whether it be taxes or budget cuts or even military cuts," said Travis.

That last one Travis mentioned, the strength of our military, is what's pushing Mitt Romney supporter and Army veteran Freddie May to the polls.

"I'd sacrifice some of my 100 percent disability, if they could use it right," Freddie said.

It's a pressure point President Obama took a jab at in Wednesday's debate.

"Governor Romney's central economic plan calls for a five-trillion dollar tax cut on top of the extension of the Bush tax cuts, that's another trillion dollars, and two trillion dollars in additional military spending that the military hasn't asked for," he said.

But Romney said he didn't have such a plan, then focused on taxing the rich and leaving the middle class alone.

Obama supporter and Army wife Ashlie T. says taking care of the middle class is important to her, especially as someone who comes from a family of small business owners.

"I don't think that they should be penalized for keeping jobs, and building jobs, and creating jobs," Ashlie said.

For Travis, concern number one is his own job, and the welfare of the people he works with.

"The candidates need to recognize that military, the ones that are supporting the freedoms they have to say what they want are sacrificing, just to be in the military," Travis said.

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday.

To make sure every soldier gets their chance to vote, Fort Hood has hundreds of unit voting assistance officers standing by to get them registered in time.

Election day is November 6.

www.fvap.gov

Reporter/Photographer: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com