WICHITA, Kansas - It was the only primetime debate to feature all four candidates in the fourth district congressional race.Moderated by KSN’s John Snyder, the candidates had a platform just days from Election Day.
“I ran for the state house in 2006 to bring common sense and civility back to the legislature," Democratic candidate Raj Goyle said.
"I've now had the opportunity to lead two businesses that created 400 jobs right here in south central Kansas," Republican candidate Mike Pompeo said.
“It's no wonder that 30 percent of Republicans are voting third party, and 42 percent of us consider ourselves independents," Reform candidate Susan Ducey said.
"Together we can buck the flow and create real change Washington," Libertarian candidate Shawn Smith said.
Front runners Goyle and Pompeo wasted no time in pointing out their differences. The two squared off on recent incentives to try and keep Hawker-Beechcraft in Wichita.
"The federal government and the Congressman from the fourth district of Kansas can do a lot of things to make sure there is a welcoming environment here in south central Kansas for jobs and job creators," Pompeo said.
"If you out there believe that we shouldn't have the incentive package that Governor Parkinson suggested and negotiated, you can't vote for Mr. Pompeo because he opposes such incentives," Goyle said.
KSN viewers even got to ask the candidates question by email.
On the issue of same sex marriage, Ducey and Pompeo were against, while Goyle and Smith believed it was a state’s issue.
On the subject of immigration, Pompeo and Goyle had similar solutions.
"Today, it very hard to get here legally and it’s too easy to come here illegally,” Pompeo said. “We’ve got to fix that. We've got to secure our borders and our ports of entry."
"First of all we must secure the border,” Goyle said. “We must send out military to our southern border to make sure we bring lawfulness to a situation that is frankly chaotic. The second thing we have to do is crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.”
Election Day is next Tuesday, November 2nd.
KSN will continue to be your election headquarters with the latest information on air and online.
