Democratic Congressional Candidates Spar Over Ugly Election

The Democratic primary debate for the Eighth District Congressional District was filled with fireworks.

The 75-minute debate between candidates Shaughnessy Naughton and State Rep. Steve Santarsiero at Bucks County Community College’s Bristol Township campus was held shortly after the Republicans held their debate.

Right off the bat, Santarsiero went after a series of connections between Naughton and the 314 PAC that has been attacking him in a series of ugly mailers in the district. When asked about the PAC attacks by moderator Bill Pezza, a professor at the community college, Santarsiero said he felt he needed to address the mailers from the 314 PAC, which Naughton started but is no longer involved with, due to the claims included in them.

Santarsiero called on Naughton and all PACs related to the congressional election release their financial spending for April on Friday morning. Naughton responded at one point that it was short notice to release those documents.

“I’m not going to allow you to lie about my record like you lie about your own,” Naughton rebutted back at Santarsiero.

Naughton said she has been out talking to more than 1,000 people throughout the campaign’s town hall meetings and people want to know about the issues that matter to them.

In her opening statement, Naughton did not mention the controversy and said “we’ve waited a long time to take this back. In 2016, we’re going to do that and make history.”

Following the debate, Naughton released a statement saying that the spending release was a “political stunt by Steve Santarsiero’s campaign to district voters from his failed legislative record.”

The two candidates shared similar stances on issues related to investing infrastructure, increased focus on education, universal background checks for gun purchasers, displeasure with the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and both said they would vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday.

When asked about the FBI asking Apple to create a backdoor to access the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino, California terrorists, both candidates said they take national security seriously.

Naughton said she agreed with Apple’s decision not to help the FBI in unlocking the phone.

“It is incumbent upon the government to find the right balance. We’re getting there but we’re not there yet,” Santarsiero said.

The next question talked about American Dream and whether it was still obtainable.

Naughton, a scientist and small business person, said middle-class lifestyle is out of reach for many. She wants to create jobs and industries of tomorrow by supporting an ” Apollo-level” investment in science and technology.

Santarsiero, a former teacher and lawyer for private business, said he wants programs to allow for good-paying jobs. He added that private-public partnership could he useful in helping spur middle class growth.

“We need to rethink our priorities as Americans and we need to invest in the future,” Santarsiero stated.

Both candidates said they were for reducing the cost and debt load that often comes with college.

On foreign policy, both candidates said the nation must focus on diplomacy and work with foreign governments.

Santarsiero said ISIS needs to be defeated and the Middle East needs to be stabilized. He stated Americans can’t always be involved in foreign turmoil.

Naughton said she agreed with the Iran deal. She added that it gives America 10 years to prepare for post-Iran deal.

Santarsiero stated he was against the deal with Iran, adding, “we are not dealing with Canada – it is Iran.” However, he did add that he was for continuing to negotiate with Iran.

In speaking about improving the economy, Naughton said the current tax policy favors the rich and holds regular people back. Her opponent mentioned adding incentives to keep jobs in the United States.

When asked about international trade partnerships, the candidates had somewhat differing views.

“We should encourage trade but it needs to be fair,” Naughton said.

Santarsiero said the Trans Pacific Partnership does not “level the playing field” for American businesses. He added that we should focus on bringing back more jobs at home.

The two candidates again spared about the 314 PAC and releasing campaign expenditures at the end of the debate.

Santarsiero confronted Naughton about 314 PAC mailers that showed him with missing teeth. She replied that she was no longer involved with the 314 PAC and personally was not a fan of the mailers. Santarsiero added that the Democratic primary was “one of the nastiest we’ve ever seen in this county.”

The battle between the two candidates will end Tuesday night as votes are tallied.