BEND, Ore. -- The Central Oregon Labor Council held its annual Labor Day gathering in Bend Monday to show its support and provide a picnic for union workers. But Labor Day also is the start of what promises to be an intense election season, so there was an added political element this time.

Political candidates like Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley and Democratic House candidate Joyce Segers paid a campaign stop on the holiday.

"We've been in Central Oregon for the weekend," Dudley said. "Yesterday we were at Crooked River Ranch, the fire station, and then having breakfast. Today, we wanted to celebrate Labor Day at a Labor Day event, and that's why we are here."

Segers, who hopes to unseat Rep. Greg Walden, said her campaign is kicking into even higher gear.

"I never stop but right now," she said. "It's just six weeks before the ballots get mailed out, and this is the time for getting out there and letting people know that I'm here and I care and I'm giving them an alternative."

There are plenty of issues facing our state -- perhaps none more important than jobs.

It's a fact not lost on Linda Bradetich, a union member and school district employee, who believes education is the key to help tackle unemployment and create jobs.

"Being from the school district, I think it's important that not only do we make our students college-ready, but we also provide them with a trade."

"Jobs is priority No. 1," said Dudley. "We are at a place that there is 10.6 percent unemployment in the state of Oregon. Our state has been suffering for years. Our unemployment in the state of Oregon is higher than the national average for 14 consecutive years, and we need to turn it around."

With election season gearing up, and many people seeking work in Central Oregon, Labor Day served as a reminder that creating more jobs will be the primary issue for candidates, whether it be for governor or for Congress.