SPOKANE, Wash. — Several of the candidates running to replace Cathy McMorris Rodgers' seat for the state’s 5th Congressional District participated in a political debate Monday evening.
Five of the eleven candidates in the race were at the Moran Prairie Library to answer questions about topics ranging from gun violence to border security.
One of the first big questions was about gun violence. The moderator asked what policies Rene Holaday would implement to make schools safer.
"We need to up the amount of law enforcement because gun violence is out of control because there's not enough police," Holaday said.
Another big topic of discussion was border security. Carmela Conroy said she wants to update our border requirements.
"To get in as quickly and as effectively as possible, including the people that we want to have because we need them to contribute to our economy," Conroy said.
The candidates also discussed what role public policy plays in racial and social justice issues.
"When it comes to racial and social justice, one reform that I would like to make and try to accomplish as your representative will be to change the narrative from equality to equity," Matthew Welde said.
Candidate Ann Marie Danimus was particularly passionate about the question of healthcare. She said the United States needs a universal affordable healthcare system.
"We don't need health insurance as a middleman. We don't need them telling us - after our doctor tells us what we need - what we can have. This is a horrible system that leaves people broke," Danimus said.
Another hot-button issue from the night was renewable energy. Rick Valentine Flynn said we need to save farmland when investing in green energy.
"Green energy infrastructure companies buying land [need] to preserve at least 75% of cropland when doing that," Flynn said.
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