With a week remaining before voters make a decision in the hotly contested sixth district congressional race, the two most well-known candidates met for the first time in a public forum. GOP Representative Andy Barr and Democrat Amy McGrath along with Libertarian Frank Harris participated in Monday’s KET program.
McGrath spoke out against Republican efforts to replace portions of the Affordable Care Act. “If you don’t believe me on how bad it was, believe the American Medical Association when they said, it violates their most basic principle of ‘do no harm first,” said McGrath.
The first time candidate and retired marine fighter pilot supports a public option government health care plan. Barr, seeking a fourth term in Congress, says it is not a fiscally sound option. “You cannot operate an insurance marketplace with a taxpayer subsidized option that is operating at a loss, subsidized by the taxpayer,” countered Barr.
McGrath said her campaign has been positive, substantive, and not demonizing the other side. Barr countered, quote, “nobody should be under the false impression that my opponent has somehow run this pristine positive campaign.”
As noted, the panel also included Libertarian Frank Harris. Following the hour-long program, Harris said he believes the libertarian view is something many voters can support. “Americans know that you can’t spend money that you don’t have. Why doesn’t the government?” asked Harris.
The remaining two candidates in the congressional contest are independents Rikka Wallin and James Germalic.