By DANIELLE LYNCH
dlynch@delcotimes.com

While the Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District kicked off an economic tour Tuesday, the Republican candidate denounced a public health insurance option.

State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore, is running against Republican Pat Meehan, a former U.S. attorney, for the seat currently occupied by U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, who is running for U.S. Senate.

On Tuesday, Lentz kicked off a 10-week, 25-stop economic tour at New Way Air Bearings in Aston. Lentz said the purpose of his tour is to meet with businesses and find out what can be done to help them with job creation.

Meehan kicked off his business tour back in May with a stop at the Ridley Park Business District. Since then, Meehan has hosted a roundtable discussion, forums and other events with small-business owners and executives.

Meehan on Tuesday said he was concerned about U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) call for a public health insurance option. He said it “will cost the taxpayers billions of dollars and over time crowd out private insurance companies, leaving consumers with no choice but to sign up for a government plan.”

Lentz said he’d prefer to call the bill an affordable option.

“If the government says you have to have health insurance, then the government has an obligation to create an affordable option,” he said.