Fitzpatrick, Santarsiero square off in debate for U.S. House seat
In their second debate, the candidates vying for the open seat representing Bucks County in Congress wrangled Thursday over taxes, terrorism - and Trump.
In their second debate, the candidates vying for the open seat representing Bucks County in Congress wrangled Thursday over taxes, terrorism - and Trump.
State Rep. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat, tried to capitalize on his legislative history and work he's done in the district. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI anticorruption agent, touted his background with national-security tough talk.
"ISIS and Boko Haram are everywhere, folks," he told the audience at Bucks County Community College in Bristol.
Santarsiero repeatedly sought to shift the conversation to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, whom Fitzpatrick had supported until last week's release of the 2005 tape in which Trump describes sexually assaulting women.
Backing Trump is "dangerous," Santarsiero said. "Up until about four days ago, my opponent . . . thought it was OK to give him the nuclear codes."
The race is considered the most competitive one for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania. The district is nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats - and the retiring incumbent is Fitzpatrick's brother, Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.
Moderated by William Pezza, a history and political science professor, the 75-minute debate drew about 250 people to the college.
Fitzpatrick told the crowd the corporate tax rate is too high; infrastructure projects should be funded by growing the economy; and the health-care market should be opened to competition to drive down prices. He advocated securing our borders to stop an "illegal flow" of immigration, though stopped short of endorsing mass deportation.
Santarsiero said he wants to give working families tax cuts and close loopholes for the wealthy; use bonds to fund infrastructure projects; and implement health-care reform ideas such as allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription-drug prices. He supports immigration changes to allow undocumented immigrants to get legal status and citizenship while deporting only criminals.
The debate was less contentious than their first last month - until the end, when the candidates quarreled in parting shots over Fitzpatrick's family ties to the seat.
"There is one candidate on this stage who has brought jobs into this district . . . who time and again has fought for our community," Santarsiero said, calling Fitzpatrick "as much of an insider as anybody else."
Fitzpatrick shot back by labeling Santarsiero a career politician and accusing him of attacking him for his FBI service.
"There's only one candidate on this stage who has put their life on the line for their country," he said.
Fitzpatrick chose not to participate in a media briefing for both candidates after the debate. His campaign spokesman said they had not known about the briefing in advance and Fitzpatrick had to leave for another event.
A third debate will take place Oct. 28 at 8 a.m. at Delaware Valley University.
610-313-8205 @McDaniel_Justine