DEMOPOLIS &8212; On the campaign trail, Alabama Public Service Commission presidential hopeful Matt Chancey made several pit stops in Marengo County, including a visit to The Times.

Chancey, a 32-year-old conservative Republican, runs his own communications and marketing firm and has done work from political consulting to working with large non-profit endeavors.

His message for the PSC presidency is simple, as evidenced by his online advertisement: The only way to have a long-term effect on high energy costs is to reduce the country&8217;s dependence on foreign oil and look into other options, including nuclear power.

Originally from Enterprise, but now living in Chelsea in the greater Birmingham metro area with his wife and children, Chancey said if elected he plans to change the &8220;tunnel vision&8221; mindset of many people in the public service commission and focus more on the advocacy side of what the agency can do.

The PSC is the state organization that helps to regulate private utility companies &8212; energy, telecommunications to name a few &8212; by setting rates and regulating profits.

Chancey said by using the PSC for its advocacy role, he hopes to make progress in the country&8217;s current energy crisis.

After the primary elections on June 3, Chancey will face former Alabama Republican Party Chairwoman Twinkle Andress in a July 15 run-off. The two are seeking the position of Jim Sullivan, who decided not to seek re-election this year.

After his stop in Demopolis, Chancey headed to Linden, then Clarke County. His next stop will be in Mobile.