District 25 candidates debate issues
District 25 candidates for the State House of Representatives and Senate debated the issues in Benson last week, in an event hosted by the Cochise County League of Women Voters…
With four candidates running for the two District 25 seats in the House of Representatives, Republican incumbent David Stevens did not attend.
Incumbent Democrat Patricia Fleming was present, along with Democratic challenger Ruben Ortega and Republican Peggy Judd.
Candidates answered questions posed by the nearly 20 people attending the two-hour Sept. 14 debate, with topics ranging from pro-choice, to the lack of partisanship that continues to plague the state’s government.
Throughout the debate, Judd showed she was new to the political arena, but stuck to mostly conservative values.
Disagreeing with her opponents, Judd said she is pro-life, and against abortion.
“I am pro life, they are human beings at inception,” she said. “When a life is in danger or the woman is a victim of a violent crime, then maybe. I am against late-term abortion or partial birth abortion. I can’t say enough about a woman who hurts her baby or kills her baby. We are designed to be mothers. Nine months is not a very long time to carry a baby.”
Ortega, Alvarez and Fleming agreed that the government has no right to what she can or cannot do with her own body.
Fleming was the most critical of her Republican opponents, criticizing Stevens and Judd on their positions when it comes to public education, pro-choice and for the continued arguments that continue between Democrats and Republicans in the house.
“Voters want their representatives to be honest, dependable and in tune with the residents,” Fleming said. “David Stevens and Peggy Judd represent the Republican political bosses. They use the majority to exclude Democratic ideas almost entirely, which means they are excluding half our citizens.”
Over the last year, Fleming said the Republican majority, including Stevens, made more than $40,000 in cuts to health care set up for the state’s poorest children, they cut education and extended tax “give aways” and loopholes for the wealthy.
“David Stevens always votes along the party line. We should demand real solutions,” she said.
Ortega, who served on the state legislature in the 1990s, wants to return with hopes of breaking through political barriers.
“If I have to let a Republican take credit for my ideas to get it passed, that is what I will do,” he said.
The topic of public education versus private came up during the debate, with Democrats showing similar beliefs, while Judd said public schools could reduce spending.
“There is a strong need in public education to look at what they are teaching the children. Giving them more money isn’t going to make them better,” Judd said. “I am pro-choice.”
Ortega said “unfortunately,” the Legislature has decided against making education a priority, noting that it was good the people disagreed, passing the one-cent sales tax measure.
“People should have a choice, but the vast majority of education should take place in public schools,” he said.
Fleming criticized Stevens and Judd for being in favor of diverting public funds to private education, noting the majority should go toward public education.
Judd said she didn’t say she wants to fund private schools, but is in favor of giving them “sufficient funding on a per-pupil basis.”
Alvarez said he is not a fan of vouchers for private schools, and would like to do more to improve public education.
The Senator said in some areas charter schools are needed, but noted the state should require the alternative schools receiving public funds to only hire certified teachers.
Currently, state laws allow charter schools to receive public funds, but does not require them to hire certified teachers.
With a variety of Propositions on the November ballot, the candidates were asked how they plan to vote on Proposition 302.
This would allow the state legislature to use tobacco-tax funds for other programs. The funds were set up several years ago for early childhood development.
Fleming, Ortega and Alvarez said the wording on the ballot measure is confusing, but told residents to vote against the proposal.
Fleming stressed the funds are specifically set up for parents and families.
Alvarez said the money “belongs to our future, and it will affect every kid in the state.”
In November, Alvarez is seeking reelection against Griffin, while incumbents Fleming and Stevens seek reelection against Judd and Ortega.