BISCOE, N.C. — A Democratic candidate for Congress pumped up his campaign Thursday by peddling gasoline for $1.22 per gallon.

Larry Kissell said that was the price of gas when his Republican opponent _ Rep. Robin Hayes _ first took office in 1998.

About 500 motorists took advantage of Kissell's offer, lining up at the station more than four hours before the cheap petrol went on sale.

Kissell, a Democrat, used the stunt to highlight a few of his campaign talking points. The social studies teacher accused Hayes of working in the interests of oil companies and rejecting proposals that would have expanded alternative fuel.

"Robin Hayes has helped create the high cost of gas in North Carolina, and I'm going to be a part of the solution to lowering gas costs in North Carolina," Kissell said.

Kissell may have accomplished that feat Thursday. But his campaign had to cover the difference between the $1.22 and Thursday's price $2.89 a gallon for regular unleaded at Benjy Dunn's Filling Station in downtown Biscoe.

Meanwhile, Hayes' staff noted the congressman had backed a number of alternative fuel proposals. He introduced a bill in May to support the industry and publicized his efforts by filling up at a gas station in Charlotte with ethanol-based fuel.

Hayes has also supported a measure that seeks to double the number of ethanol fuel pumps nationwide. The U.S. House passed that legislation last week.