3rd Congressional District GOP candidates stress differences at debate – Daily Herald

The three Republican candidates running in the special election for the 3rd Congressional District fielded tough questions on health care, Bears Ears, Russia and global affairs Friday night during the second primary debate.

Candidates Tanner Ainge, John Curtis and Chris Herrod held many of the same conservative views on many issues, but tried to stress the differences in their public and private experiences. Ainge pointed to his work as a businessman to giving him the experience to make things happen in Congress. Curtis referenced his 94 percent approval rating as Provo mayor and the success of the city to illustrate his experience. Herrod highlighted his past experience and voting record in the Utah House of Representatives.

Each candidate was given time to respond to debate questions, and then additional rebuttal time to follow up. The following highlights their answers. To watch the full version debate, visit the Daily Heralds Facebook page.

On health care, all of the candidates said states should have more autonomy in health care. They also advocated for health savings accounts, or HSAs, saying this allowed more freedom for residents to get the care they want.

Calling it a failure, Ainge wants to repeal and replace Obamacare. He wants more choice and competition in the free market for purchasing health plans. He advocated increasing the amount people can contribute to HSAs, so doctors and other caregivers are forced to market their services to patients.

Herrod also wants to repeal and replace Obamacare. He explained that socialized medicine is not the panacea that everybody thinks it is. He is a big advocate of having catastrophic plans as well as HSAs.

Curtis said its not just Obamacare thats broken, its decades and decades of government intervention that have caused the problems were experiencing in health care today. He said he believes that if both political parties work together they can replace Obamacare with something thats finally good for the American people.

While all candidates agreed that securing the nations borders should be foremost in regards to immigration reform, they differed on addressing immigration from within.

Herrod said he absolutely supports President Donald Trumps plan to build a wall, and temporarily ban immigration from specific countries. He supports those immigrants that are here legally, but does not support illegal immigration, citing statistics from the U.S. District Attorney for Utah that 40 percent of the crimes they are pursuing are for illegal aliens.

We have to get over the misnomer that illegal immigration is a victimless crime, he said.

Curtis agreed that America needs to be tough on criminals. He also wants to secure our borders, but wants Congress to look at the best way for that, be it technological or other methods.

The third thing we need to do is reform our system, so those good people waiting in line to come, and who are needed by employers here are legally able to come into our country, he said.

Ainge also believes securing the border could include barriers, technology or more personnel. He also feels America needs a stronger legal immigration system.

Right now we have a demand in our strong economy here in Utah for tens of thousands of engineers. And we have some of these people here at universities in our district, he said. We have to make it easier for them to get those visas and contribute.

All three candidates said they believe America should be strong in global affairs, and stand firm with other allies around the globe against those threatening world peace, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and others. Ainge said he is very concerned about Russia extending its influence through aggression.

As for concerns with Russias involvement in American affairs, Herrod said there is no collusion between Russia and America, and complained this issue is distracting Congress from real work in Washington. He also advocated open communication with Russia, because all nations influence others.

All three said they agree with sanctions against Russia for its actions.

We cant have it both ways. We cant say well be tough overseas, and then weak with one specific country. We have to be tough with all of them, Curtis said.

That said, all three candidates agree with Trumps decision to abandon the Paris climate accord.

The candidates were asked their stance on the size of Bears Ears National Monument, and they agreed that it is too big. They all advocated local control of Utah land, and a repeal or exemption from the Antiquities Act.

The rural areas of this district represent a small fraction of the population, yet they need our time and attention as a congressman much more than we need it here in Utah County and Salt Lake County, Curtis said. I will be their advocate.

Again, on this issue they all stood on similar ground, and would like to see more local control over education. Herrod advocated eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, and splitting the money saved by doing so. He suggested using half to pay down the federal deficit, and then block granting it to the states.

The states would then have more money than they currently have, he said.

Ainge agreed, but advocated not eliminating federal partnerships at the collegiate level. He said those helped students earn grants and funding, and also helped universities in their work.

Im a lifelong Republican, Ainge said. I am going to cut spending. I come from the business world. I have looked at hundreds and hundreds of business financial statements, and cut waste. And thats what Im going to do in Congress.

I have a record of talking about the Constitution and following the constitutional principles. That document has made this country what it is, Herrod said. Im the only one that has a proven conservative record. I promise if you send me back, I will do the same things back in D.C. that I have done here in Utah. I will represent you and defend the Constitution.

I have enjoyed a fabulous business career . Ive enjoyed whats been an almost magical experience as the mayor of Provo and accomplished some things that none of us thought would ever be possible, Curtis said. Ask the businesses of Provo how they feel about the last eight years.

After the debates, the candidates met one-on-one with the media. Those interviews are available on the Daily Herald Facebook page.

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3rd Congressional District GOP candidates stress differences at debate - Daily Herald