ELECTIONS

2nd Congressional District candidates debate healthcare, COVID-19, Supreme Court

Oct 20, 2020, 6:52 AM | Updated: 6:55 am

SALT LAKE CITY – Healthcare, the environment, and the government’s response to COVID-19 were all hot topics at the 2nd Congressional District debate Monday night. 

Monday night’s debate between incumbent Congressman Chris Stewart (R), Democratic challenger Kael Weston, and Libertarian candidate J. Robert Latham started off with a question about how the Trump Administration handled the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Stewart defended the president’s actions, praising him for shutting down travel to China early, despite some calling him xenophobic. He also believes the president has speeded the vaccine process along. 

“We’re not going to develop an immunization [from COVID-19] in 10 or 12 years. We’re going to do it in eight or 10 months. We’ve driven down the mortality rate from this 60% in seven months,” Stewart said. 

Weston, however, believes the government failed Americans. 

“I believe the federal government has a hugely important role,” Weston said. “But…they’ve decimated the apolitical nature of the CDC. They’ve undercut the role of the World Health Organization, and they’ve played games with our health.” 

Latham wished the federal government had gotten out of the way and left the management of the pandemic to doctors and the free market. 

“Healthcare providers in a free society would have had testing underway early on. But it was the federal Food and Drug Administration and the CDC that said, ‘No.'” 

He also argued that politically connected companies blocked the manufacturing of more N95 masks, leading to the shortage the USA has now. 

Another contentious issue was whether to keep or repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.


Your Voice, Your Vote – 2020 Election Guide


Weston accused Stewart of having a high-end health insurance plan while arguing to keep the law. 

“Millions of Americans do not have the quality of care that a member of Congress has. The people that are hurting most in our district are afraid of going bankrupt if they don’t have Obamacare,” Weston said.    

Stewart hit back that he is forced to be on the healthcare exchange like most people.

“I, as a member of Congress, am on Obamacare…I know how bad it is. I know how expensive it is. I deal with that every month,” Stewart said. 

The two also sparred over whose plan would best protect those with preexisting conditions. 

Latham, meanwhile, argued for the government to get out of healthcare, pointing to the Veterans’ Administration hospital scandal a few years back as evidence of a broken system. 

“I don’t want the shortages and rationing that comes with any socialized service,” Latham said. 

The candidates also sparred over the environment and whether to make a 6th National Park in Utah. 

Stewart, who recently introduced a bill to designate part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as a National Park, said the state and local interests would help manage it. 

Weston felt it was unrealistic to have county commissioners do it, while Latham thinks a private entity like a nature conservancy would be better at managing it. 

When asked whether they would sign the Climate and Clean Air Compact that other Utah leaders have, Weston said he would. 

Stewart and Latham said they would not sign something they haven’t read yet. 

However, Stewart pointed to his record on the environment, while Latham argued against tax breaks for polluting companies.  

One of the issues candidates were passionate about was about the prospect of packing The Supreme Court. 

Both Stewart and Latham said they were “troubled” by the idea, with Stewart coming out strongly against it. 

“I think it’s absurd. I think it’s one of the most ridiculous and divisive and destructive ideas that’s ever been suggested,” Stewart said. 

Weston did not directly address the question but pointed instead to the recent nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. 

“This would not be an issue if this election could move forward and the will of the American people would be respected,” Weston said.  

Stewart and Weston took the most shots at each other, including this one coming about halfway through the debate.

“My opponent seems to have a low opinion of me. I didn’t realize that until tonight,” Stewart said.

“It’s just a fair one,” Weston said.

Recent polling shows Stewart with a comfortable lead over both Weston and Latham. 

 

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Elections

And since 2019, Utah's been involved in a pilot program to test the waters of RCV in city (municipa...

Simone Seikaly

Riverton bows out of ranked choice voting as pilot program proceeds

Riverton is opting out of the ranked-choice voting pilot program in Utah. Funding and trust in government are two of the reasons.

11 months ago

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks from the Treaty Room in the White House on April 14, 2021, about ...

ZEKE MILLER AP White House Correspondent

Biden announces 2024 reelection bid: ‘Let’s finish this job’

The president also has multiple policy goals and unmet promises from his first campaign that he's asking voters on giving him another chance to fulfill.

11 months ago

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks about his economic agenda at International Union of Operating Eng...

Mark Jones

Where things stand leading into the 2024 presidential election

Inside Sources breaks down the lates t developments leading into the 2024 presidential election.

11 months ago

cox on the pandemic...

Lindsay Aerts

Governor Spencer Cox is running for reelection

SALT LAKE CITY  — Governor Spencer Cox will seek a 2nd term.  The news was expected in political circles, but the governor has now confirmed it publicly to KSL NewsRadio. “Yes. Yes. Absolutely running for reelection,” Cox said.  He added that his bid for reelection in 2024 would be the only time he would seek […]

1 year ago

The Arizona Court of Appeals has rejected Kari Lake's challenge to the result of the Arizona gubern...

Brian Rokus and Jack Forrest, CNN

Arizona Court of Appeals rejects Kari Lake’s election challenge

  (CNN) — The Arizona Court of Appeals has rejected Kari Lake’s challenge to the result of the Arizona gubernatorial election after she appealed an earlier ruling from the superior court. Lake had requested a declaration from the court that she — and not her opponent, Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs who won the election by about 17,000 votes — […]

1 year ago

Three weeks from Election Day, nearly 2.5 million Americans have already cast their ballots in the...

Mark Jones

Campaigns having difficult time finding younger people to fill staff positions

Campaigns from both political parties are having a difficult time finding younger people to fill positions on the staff.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

2nd Congressional District candidates debate healthcare, COVID-19, Supreme Court