McMorris Rodgers, Brown spar on variety of issues in Spokane debate

The first debate of the tight U.S. House race in eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District produced differences over campaign finance, gun control, and other issues.

Lisa Brown, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers

Republican U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Democratic challenger Lisa Brown debated in Spokane on Wednesday, and plan to have several more debates in October.

The candidates both agreed early-on that they would not support cuts to the Medicare or Social Security programs. Regarding veterans, McMorris Rodgers noted that she had voted for the largest budget in the history of the Veterans Administration, in part because her offices receive 30 to 40 phone calls a week from veterans seeking help. Brown said those phone calls were proof “the system isn’t working” for veterans.

Asked if the sale of weapons such as AR-15 assault rifles should be banned, McMorris Rodgers said she was a supporter of the Second Amendment and did not believe law-abiding citizens should have their rights restricted. Brown said she also supported the Second Amendment, but added that assault-style weapons need to be strictly regulated.

McMorris Rodgers is the 4th-ranking Republican in the House and is seeking an eighth term. She faces perhaps the toughest challenge since she won the open seat in 2004 in Brown, a former long-time state lawmaker.

McMorris Rodgers won 49 percent of the vote in the August primary, compared to 45 percent for Brown. The remaining 6 percent of the votes went to other candidates.

McMorris Rodgers leads in fundraising, but Brown has already raised far more than the incumbent’s previous challengers. (AP)

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