Republican House candidate Bill Cleaveland called Thursday for Virginia to pursue exploration and drilling of offshore oil and natural gas.

Cleaveland is running against Democrat and Roanoke City Councilwoman Gwen Mason to replace Del. William Fralin, R-Roanoke, in the General Assembly.

In an e-mailed statement, the Botetourt County lawyer called on federal officials to move forward with a lease that would allow the state to drill off its coast as part of a comprehensive energy package that also includes coal and nuclear power.

"We need those resources to help Virginia and America move toward better energy self-sufficiency," Cleaveland wrote. "Furthermore, development of the offshore energy resources will provide thousands of jobs and millions of dollars for Virginians."

Revenue from offshore oil and natural gas production, he said, could go to fund transportation improvements without raising taxes.

-- Mason Adams