1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:02,936 - [Announcer] Welcome to "The Idaho Debates", 2 00:00:02,936 --> 00:00:06,840 a Q and A for congressional district one Democratic primary. 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:09,943 "The Idaho Debates" is organized by these partners. 4 00:00:10,944 --> 00:00:14,714 Funding provided by the Friends of Idaho Public Television, 5 00:00:14,714 --> 00:00:17,083 The Idaho Public Television Endowment, 6 00:00:17,083 --> 00:00:19,285 and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 7 00:00:20,587 --> 00:00:22,322 - Hello, and welcome to "The Idaho Debates" 8 00:00:22,322 --> 00:00:23,523 candidate Q and As 9 00:00:23,523 --> 00:00:27,193 for Idaho's congressional district one Democratic primary. 10 00:00:27,193 --> 00:00:28,895 I'm Melissa Davlin. 11 00:00:28,895 --> 00:00:32,031 This is the second of three "Idaho Debates" programs 12 00:00:32,031 --> 00:00:35,435 this primary season, and as with everything this year, 13 00:00:35,435 --> 00:00:38,805 we had to change our format to allow for social distancing. 14 00:00:38,805 --> 00:00:40,240 Here's a run-down. 15 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,109 Because candidates can't campaign in traditional ways 16 00:00:43,109 --> 00:00:46,513 that would normally determine eligibility for our debates, 17 00:00:46,513 --> 00:00:49,416 we waived the criteria to participate. 18 00:00:49,416 --> 00:00:51,384 If a primary candidate is on the ballot 19 00:00:51,384 --> 00:00:53,820 in a contested congressional race, 20 00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:57,056 they received an invitation to our program. 21 00:00:57,056 --> 00:00:59,592 We taped the Q and As with each candidate separately 22 00:00:59,592 --> 00:01:02,061 via video teleconferencing. 23 00:01:02,061 --> 00:01:03,763 They were given the same eight questions, 24 00:01:03,763 --> 00:01:06,699 and each was given 90 seconds to answer. 25 00:01:06,699 --> 00:01:08,401 If they went a little over, I allowed them 26 00:01:08,401 --> 00:01:09,769 to briefly finish their thought, 27 00:01:09,769 --> 00:01:11,971 and we spliced their answers together 28 00:01:11,971 --> 00:01:14,974 to make it easier for viewers to follow. 29 00:01:14,974 --> 00:01:15,942 At the end of the program, 30 00:01:15,942 --> 00:01:19,712 each candidate will give a 60 second closing statement. 31 00:01:19,712 --> 00:01:20,947 While the format doesn't allow 32 00:01:20,947 --> 00:01:22,982 for a back and forth between candidates 33 00:01:22,982 --> 00:01:25,518 or follow-up questions from me, 34 00:01:25,518 --> 00:01:28,087 it does get basic information out to the voters, 35 00:01:28,087 --> 00:01:31,324 which, like everything, is a challenge this year. 36 00:01:31,324 --> 00:01:34,627 Rudy Soto and Staniela Nikolova are both running 37 00:01:34,627 --> 00:01:36,763 to be the Democratic nominee for this year's 38 00:01:36,763 --> 00:01:38,898 congressional district one race. 39 00:01:38,898 --> 00:01:41,768 That seat is currently held by Congressman Russ Fulcher, 40 00:01:41,768 --> 00:01:44,337 who faces his own primary challenge. 41 00:01:44,337 --> 00:01:46,039 The winners of each primary will move on 42 00:01:46,039 --> 00:01:48,341 to the November general election. 43 00:01:48,341 --> 00:01:52,679 Here's where Soto and Nicolova stand on the issues. 44 00:01:52,679 --> 00:01:53,713 Why are you running? 45 00:01:54,614 --> 00:01:56,449 - Thank you for the question, Melissa. 46 00:01:56,449 --> 00:01:58,351 I'm really excited to be in the race 47 00:01:58,351 --> 00:02:00,086 to be bringing a new set 48 00:02:00,086 --> 00:02:03,623 of perspectives and experiences to the table. 49 00:02:03,623 --> 00:02:05,992 I was born and raised in Nampa. 50 00:02:05,992 --> 00:02:08,261 I'm a Shoshone-Bannock member, 51 00:02:08,261 --> 00:02:10,864 and son of a Mexican immigrant. 52 00:02:10,864 --> 00:02:15,268 I grew up in public housing among an impoverished community, 53 00:02:16,836 --> 00:02:18,171 the type of circumstances 54 00:02:18,171 --> 00:02:21,708 that lead a lot of kids into trouble. 55 00:02:21,708 --> 00:02:23,243 I was one of them. 56 00:02:23,243 --> 00:02:25,912 I spent the better part of two years, 57 00:02:25,912 --> 00:02:28,181 between the ages of 12 and 14, 58 00:02:28,181 --> 00:02:30,884 bouncing around in the juvenile corrections system 59 00:02:30,884 --> 00:02:32,652 here throughout the state, 60 00:02:32,652 --> 00:02:33,686 and I'm fortunate, though. 61 00:02:33,686 --> 00:02:35,788 At 15 I was able to turn things around, 62 00:02:35,788 --> 00:02:38,358 go on, become the first in my family 63 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:40,727 to graduate from college, 64 00:02:40,727 --> 00:02:43,830 and actually had even been elected 65 00:02:43,830 --> 00:02:45,598 to serve as student body president. 66 00:02:46,833 --> 00:02:48,835 I went on to then enlist, 67 00:02:48,835 --> 00:02:51,271 serve in the US Army National Guard, 68 00:02:51,271 --> 00:02:55,141 served five and a half years in a field artillery unity, 69 00:02:55,141 --> 00:02:57,443 four years in a military police unit, 70 00:02:57,443 --> 00:02:59,846 became a non-commissioned officer, 71 00:02:59,846 --> 00:03:03,550 then continued my career at national nonprofits 72 00:03:03,550 --> 00:03:06,152 in the fields of child welfare, public health, 73 00:03:06,152 --> 00:03:07,487 economic development. 74 00:03:08,988 --> 00:03:10,356 I'm ready to hit the ground running. 75 00:03:10,356 --> 00:03:14,160 I'm running for working families, folks who struggle 76 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,896 to make ends meet, everyday Idahoans, 77 00:03:16,896 --> 00:03:20,400 folks that just want a fair shot at the American dream. 78 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:21,234 So thank you. 79 00:03:22,168 --> 00:03:24,637 - I am really passionate about the law, 80 00:03:24,637 --> 00:03:27,373 but I'm also really passionate about solving 81 00:03:27,373 --> 00:03:30,410 all of the problems that I see in today's society. 82 00:03:31,544 --> 00:03:33,246 I think that we have a lot of problems 83 00:03:33,246 --> 00:03:34,447 that we could easily solve 84 00:03:34,447 --> 00:03:37,517 through using legislative processes. 85 00:03:37,517 --> 00:03:40,620 And I have lived in Idaho all of my life, 86 00:03:40,620 --> 00:03:45,191 and I feel extremely connected to the people who live here. 87 00:03:45,191 --> 00:03:48,227 And I frankly think that our federal government 88 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:50,296 could do better for the people of Idaho 89 00:03:50,296 --> 00:03:52,298 and for the people of our nation. 90 00:03:52,298 --> 00:03:55,768 So the reason that I'm running is really a personal one 91 00:03:55,768 --> 00:03:58,805 because in Congress, there was one day, 92 00:03:58,805 --> 00:04:00,506 I think six or seven years ago. 93 00:04:00,506 --> 00:04:01,908 I don't even remember when. 94 00:04:01,908 --> 00:04:05,745 Somebody threw a snowball in Congress 95 00:04:05,745 --> 00:04:09,315 and was talking about how climate change isn't real 96 00:04:09,315 --> 00:04:11,284 because it was snowing outside. 97 00:04:11,284 --> 00:04:13,186 And that kind of scientific illiteracy 98 00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:18,324 is not doing our population any justice. 99 00:04:18,324 --> 00:04:19,959 We need to have legislators 100 00:04:19,959 --> 00:04:21,894 who are taking their jobs seriously 101 00:04:21,894 --> 00:04:25,031 and who can put partisan politics behind them 102 00:04:25,031 --> 00:04:29,702 to actually make effective legislation for our people 103 00:04:29,702 --> 00:04:33,640 because that's the job of your representatives in Congress, 104 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,409 is to represent you and your needs 105 00:04:36,409 --> 00:04:38,878 and to be able to balance a budget effectively 106 00:04:38,878 --> 00:04:41,681 while keeping up with congressional oversight. 107 00:04:41,681 --> 00:04:44,751 And I think that I could do a really effective job 108 00:04:44,751 --> 00:04:47,353 for Idaho's population and for the population 109 00:04:47,353 --> 00:04:50,156 of the United States in being able to do this. 110 00:04:51,090 --> 00:04:54,193 - How are you different than your primary opponent? 111 00:04:54,193 --> 00:04:58,631 - With my primary opponent, I have only had the opportunity 112 00:04:58,631 --> 00:05:02,602 to see his website and to chat with him once. 113 00:05:02,602 --> 00:05:06,239 So I think that in some of the ways that I'm different 114 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:09,342 is just because I have a vast amount of work experience. 115 00:05:09,342 --> 00:05:12,578 I have 12 plus years working in retail industries, 116 00:05:12,578 --> 00:05:15,014 working in the fishing industry in Alaska, 117 00:05:15,014 --> 00:05:18,418 working as a radio chemistry lab technician. 118 00:05:18,418 --> 00:05:20,286 So a variety of experiences, 119 00:05:20,286 --> 00:05:22,689 but you add my Bachelor's degrees 120 00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:25,692 and my scientific background into that mix, 121 00:05:25,692 --> 00:05:28,995 and now you add my legal background into that mix. 122 00:05:28,995 --> 00:05:32,331 I think that I can kind of give Idahoans 123 00:05:32,331 --> 00:05:36,969 a little bit more of a one candidate fits all 124 00:05:36,969 --> 00:05:42,108 buttons of you, where my opponent might not have some 125 00:05:42,108 --> 00:05:44,010 of the skills that I do. 126 00:05:44,010 --> 00:05:47,647 I also feel like I'm really thorough in my analysis 127 00:05:47,647 --> 00:05:52,285 of issues, and I am the kind of candidate who, 128 00:05:52,285 --> 00:05:54,487 I can't speak for my opponent, 129 00:05:54,487 --> 00:05:55,722 but I can speak for myself. 130 00:05:55,722 --> 00:05:59,125 And I'm the kind of candidate that is going to push 131 00:05:59,125 --> 00:06:02,228 for more participation from the people that I represent 132 00:06:02,228 --> 00:06:05,498 and for informed voters in a democracy. 133 00:06:05,498 --> 00:06:07,066 And I think those are some of the programs 134 00:06:07,066 --> 00:06:09,135 that I really want to see happening 135 00:06:09,135 --> 00:06:14,140 so that the American people and Idahoans have a chance 136 00:06:14,140 --> 00:06:16,042 to fully participate. 137 00:06:16,042 --> 00:06:19,078 And so I think my passion, my fuel, my work ethic, 138 00:06:19,078 --> 00:06:22,014 and my experience really sets me apart 139 00:06:22,014 --> 00:06:23,382 from the other candidate. 140 00:06:24,217 --> 00:06:25,852 - Thank you for that question. 141 00:06:25,852 --> 00:06:28,621 I just wanna take a moment to say thank you 142 00:06:28,621 --> 00:06:31,858 to my opponent for running. 143 00:06:31,858 --> 00:06:34,594 One of the reasons that compelled me to get in this race 144 00:06:34,594 --> 00:06:38,164 was not having seen enough serious competitors 145 00:06:38,164 --> 00:06:43,169 that could challenge the incumbent in elections of the past, 146 00:06:44,070 --> 00:06:49,075 and so voters having options is of utmost importance. 147 00:06:51,611 --> 00:06:54,747 These are crucial and challenging times 148 00:06:54,747 --> 00:06:59,752 so who represents us in government is everything. 149 00:07:01,020 --> 00:07:01,854 And so 150 00:07:04,824 --> 00:07:06,826 I'm excited to be in this race. 151 00:07:06,826 --> 00:07:10,429 I won't say anything to knock on my opponent 152 00:07:10,429 --> 00:07:12,532 in any negative way, but instead I will speak 153 00:07:12,532 --> 00:07:14,433 to my own experience. 154 00:07:14,433 --> 00:07:15,835 I've worked in Washington, DC. 155 00:07:15,835 --> 00:07:19,038 I've spent a considerable amount of time there, 156 00:07:19,038 --> 00:07:23,109 working in the halls of Congress with both sides 157 00:07:23,109 --> 00:07:25,945 and with federal agencies. 158 00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:28,014 So I'm ready to hit the ground running 159 00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:29,949 for working families of Idaho. 160 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:31,284 Thank you. 161 00:07:31,284 --> 00:07:33,519 - Has the US government responded appropriately 162 00:07:33,519 --> 00:07:35,421 to the COVID-19 outbreak? 163 00:07:36,455 --> 00:07:38,457 - No, absolutely not. 164 00:07:40,026 --> 00:07:44,697 This administration eliminated and dissolved 165 00:07:44,697 --> 00:07:47,633 the Pandemic Preparedness Response Team 166 00:07:47,633 --> 00:07:50,770 that was put into place by the previous administration 167 00:07:50,770 --> 00:07:55,608 to serve as an early warning system of sorts, 168 00:07:55,608 --> 00:07:58,544 to help mitigate problems early on 169 00:07:58,544 --> 00:08:00,646 to help us get out in front. 170 00:08:00,646 --> 00:08:03,282 Instead, it's been disastrous. 171 00:08:03,282 --> 00:08:04,917 There's no national strategy. 172 00:08:04,917 --> 00:08:06,252 There's no plan. 173 00:08:07,486 --> 00:08:10,857 We, as a nation, are leading the world 174 00:08:10,857 --> 00:08:14,894 in the rate of infections and deaths. 175 00:08:17,029 --> 00:08:21,667 In terms of getting relief and stabilizing our economy 176 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:25,438 and stimulating the situation for individuals 177 00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:31,143 and working families and small businesses, 178 00:08:31,143 --> 00:08:33,746 it's been way too slow and not enough. 179 00:08:33,746 --> 00:08:37,617 Often times the money's ended up in the wrong hands 180 00:08:37,617 --> 00:08:39,886 for people that don't need the help 181 00:08:39,886 --> 00:08:42,722 or large businesses and corporations. 182 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:47,193 But we have had some lessons learned, 183 00:08:47,193 --> 00:08:50,496 that we need to shore up our healthcare system 184 00:08:50,496 --> 00:08:53,666 to make sure when someone's sick they can go get treated 185 00:08:53,666 --> 00:08:56,836 and not be furthering community spread 186 00:08:56,836 --> 00:09:01,407 as well as how important many everyday, 187 00:09:01,407 --> 00:09:02,708 working people's jobs are. 188 00:09:02,708 --> 00:09:05,244 Our frontline healthcare workers, 189 00:09:05,244 --> 00:09:08,447 delivery drivers, farm workers. 190 00:09:08,447 --> 00:09:10,683 So we've got to pay people living wages. 191 00:09:11,584 --> 00:09:15,855 - No, the US government has not responded appropriately 192 00:09:15,855 --> 00:09:17,757 to the COVID-19 outbreak. 193 00:09:18,758 --> 00:09:20,526 There were a lot of problems 194 00:09:20,526 --> 00:09:22,495 that could've absolutely been avoided 195 00:09:22,495 --> 00:09:24,096 if we had a quicker response. 196 00:09:25,731 --> 00:09:28,834 We needed to make sure that the Defense Production Act 197 00:09:28,834 --> 00:09:31,804 is being used to manufacture testing supplies. 198 00:09:31,804 --> 00:09:33,873 It is absolutely ridiculous that states need 199 00:09:33,873 --> 00:09:37,777 to form their own mini federal governments with coalitions 200 00:09:37,777 --> 00:09:40,980 to be able to adequately buy supplies 201 00:09:40,980 --> 00:09:42,682 that are not going to bankrupt their state 202 00:09:42,682 --> 00:09:45,318 because of price gouging on the marketplace. 203 00:09:45,318 --> 00:09:47,286 There's a time for capitalism and profits, 204 00:09:47,286 --> 00:09:49,221 and there's a time for saving lives. 205 00:09:49,221 --> 00:09:52,525 And right now we need to focus on getting testing 206 00:09:52,525 --> 00:09:54,827 out to the American public 207 00:09:54,827 --> 00:09:57,263 because right now we still have a problem with testing. 208 00:09:57,263 --> 00:09:59,031 And the only way we're getting our economy back 209 00:09:59,031 --> 00:10:01,167 is either through a vaccine or through being able 210 00:10:01,167 --> 00:10:02,435 to test everybody. 211 00:10:02,435 --> 00:10:05,738 I know that it seems like it's a hard problem. 212 00:10:05,738 --> 00:10:07,473 I know that it's going to require 213 00:10:07,473 --> 00:10:10,109 a new kind of infrastructure to be able 214 00:10:10,109 --> 00:10:12,578 to get the kind of PPE, the testing, 215 00:10:12,578 --> 00:10:15,247 and the supply of free agents and getting people trained 216 00:10:15,247 --> 00:10:16,983 to be able to actually perform the tests 217 00:10:16,983 --> 00:10:19,318 so that we can get a high throughput, 218 00:10:19,318 --> 00:10:21,087 but we have to do it. 219 00:10:21,087 --> 00:10:22,788 So it might be a hard problem, 220 00:10:22,788 --> 00:10:24,623 but it's a problem we need to fix 221 00:10:24,623 --> 00:10:27,593 because without testing, we are not getting our economy back 222 00:10:27,593 --> 00:10:29,862 and we are not guaranteeing the safety 223 00:10:29,862 --> 00:10:31,664 of the American public. 224 00:10:31,664 --> 00:10:35,735 So our federal government needed to respond better 225 00:10:35,735 --> 00:10:37,803 and quicker, and we need to start now, 226 00:10:37,803 --> 00:10:39,372 even if we didn't before. 227 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,376 - What are your healthcare policy priorities? 228 00:10:44,343 --> 00:10:47,013 - So with healthcare, ideally, 229 00:10:47,013 --> 00:10:49,682 it would be nice to see healthcare for all. 230 00:10:49,682 --> 00:10:52,618 I think that healthcare is a human right, 231 00:10:52,618 --> 00:10:57,189 and I don't want to see people bankrupt 232 00:10:57,189 --> 00:10:58,624 because they have an illness. 233 00:10:58,624 --> 00:11:00,126 And I don't want to see people choose 234 00:11:00,126 --> 00:11:03,796 between their child's illness and their mortgage payment. 235 00:11:03,796 --> 00:11:05,965 And so what I would like to see 236 00:11:05,965 --> 00:11:07,566 is I want to see regulations 237 00:11:07,566 --> 00:11:10,169 when it comes to medical care pricing. 238 00:11:10,169 --> 00:11:12,271 So when it comes to procedure pricing 239 00:11:12,271 --> 00:11:15,007 and just when you go to the hospital, 240 00:11:15,007 --> 00:11:18,911 I want it to be across the board, consistent. 241 00:11:18,911 --> 00:11:19,745 And then I also think 242 00:11:19,745 --> 00:11:21,881 we need consistent pharmaceutical pricing, 243 00:11:21,881 --> 00:11:23,315 and we need to regulate it to make sure 244 00:11:23,315 --> 00:11:27,353 that price gouging isn't happening for life-saving drugs. 245 00:11:27,353 --> 00:11:30,890 And similarly, I want to see a program 246 00:11:31,924 --> 00:11:33,826 built from the federal government 247 00:11:33,826 --> 00:11:36,529 that actually covers our children's healthcare. 248 00:11:36,529 --> 00:11:38,497 So I want to make sure 249 00:11:38,497 --> 00:11:41,634 that we get rid of preventative diseases 250 00:11:41,634 --> 00:11:46,639 by making sure that people who are under 18 have access 251 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:49,508 to healthcare and that we can protect 252 00:11:49,508 --> 00:11:52,445 our future generations in a way. 253 00:11:54,013 --> 00:11:57,283 Healthcare for all is a 15 to 20 year program. 254 00:11:57,283 --> 00:12:00,252 Healthcare for 18 and under is a program 255 00:12:00,252 --> 00:12:03,055 that we can easily start to begin to facilitate 256 00:12:03,055 --> 00:12:05,724 to expand our medical care coverage 257 00:12:05,724 --> 00:12:08,761 and make sure that there are no children out there 258 00:12:08,761 --> 00:12:11,564 that are going without health, dental, or vision care. 259 00:12:13,032 --> 00:12:17,103 - Access to affordable healthcare is a human right. 260 00:12:21,307 --> 00:12:23,275 This is personal for me because I grew up 261 00:12:23,275 --> 00:12:26,445 with two siblings that have disabilities, 262 00:12:26,445 --> 00:12:28,681 spina bifida and use wheel chairs. 263 00:12:28,681 --> 00:12:30,850 And then experience with my dad, 264 00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:35,121 who struggled with access to affordable healthcare 265 00:12:35,121 --> 00:12:37,656 that contributed to his premature passing. 266 00:12:38,591 --> 00:12:40,359 Those are the types of reasons 267 00:12:40,359 --> 00:12:42,695 that moved me to be a health policy analyst 268 00:12:42,695 --> 00:12:46,832 to work around the country on getting people signed up 269 00:12:46,832 --> 00:12:48,033 for Medicare, Medicaid, 270 00:12:48,033 --> 00:12:53,105 and on ACA marketplace exchange plans. 271 00:12:53,105 --> 00:12:57,643 So I support moving us more toward affordable, 272 00:12:57,643 --> 00:12:59,678 universal healthcare coverage 273 00:12:59,678 --> 00:13:01,680 through the creation of a public option 274 00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:06,051 for people that lack healthcare insurance plans. 275 00:13:06,051 --> 00:13:11,056 And I wanna work in a bipartisan fashion 276 00:13:11,257 --> 00:13:12,925 with Congressman Mike Simpson 277 00:13:12,925 --> 00:13:16,529 on addressing the opioid epidemic, 278 00:13:16,529 --> 00:13:19,298 bringing down prescription drug prices, 279 00:13:19,298 --> 00:13:22,101 expanding rural health, mental health, 280 00:13:22,101 --> 00:13:23,569 and telehealth services. 281 00:13:23,569 --> 00:13:24,803 There's a lot to be done, 282 00:13:24,803 --> 00:13:27,506 and I'm ready to hit the ground running. 283 00:13:27,506 --> 00:13:28,407 - Do you agree 284 00:13:28,407 --> 00:13:32,211 with how the federal government manages public lands? 285 00:13:32,211 --> 00:13:37,216 - I'm against all efforts to privatize public lands. 286 00:13:38,017 --> 00:13:41,153 Idaho's leaders in Congress and representatives 287 00:13:41,153 --> 00:13:42,922 should always be at the forefront 288 00:13:42,922 --> 00:13:47,426 of keeping our public lands in public hands. 289 00:13:47,426 --> 00:13:52,031 Hunting, fishing, hiking, these are all important parts 290 00:13:52,031 --> 00:13:56,268 of our heritage and culture here as Idahoans. 291 00:13:56,268 --> 00:14:01,273 We have to keep public lands public. 292 00:14:03,242 --> 00:14:08,214 We need to further land conservation, preserve ecosystems, 293 00:14:08,514 --> 00:14:13,519 animal species and wildlife, keep our air and water clean, 294 00:14:14,086 --> 00:14:17,256 address climate change, 295 00:14:17,256 --> 00:14:22,428 and I will work in a bipartisan fashion to address these. 296 00:14:22,428 --> 00:14:25,564 I'm excited about the prospect of working 297 00:14:25,564 --> 00:14:28,968 with Congressman Simpson, who's been leading the charge 298 00:14:28,968 --> 00:14:31,704 in a very balanced way on many of these issues. 299 00:14:31,704 --> 00:14:36,175 I support furthering stewardship contracts 300 00:14:37,176 --> 00:14:40,713 that allow for local interests 301 00:14:40,713 --> 00:14:43,315 to work with key stakeholders 302 00:14:43,315 --> 00:14:45,084 through a collaborative process 303 00:14:45,084 --> 00:14:50,089 to make sure that when necessary we're addressing things 304 00:14:50,856 --> 00:14:52,658 in a different way. 305 00:14:52,658 --> 00:14:54,059 And at the same time, 306 00:14:54,059 --> 00:14:55,928 there's a federal role to play 307 00:14:55,928 --> 00:14:57,630 because not everything that's gonna work 308 00:14:57,630 --> 00:15:00,666 in another state or place is the right fit for here. 309 00:15:00,666 --> 00:15:02,001 So there's a balance. 310 00:15:03,035 --> 00:15:05,738 - I do agree with how the federal government 311 00:15:05,738 --> 00:15:07,906 manages public lands. 312 00:15:07,906 --> 00:15:11,710 I know that we have a lot of people who talk 313 00:15:11,710 --> 00:15:14,847 about how we want to develop natural resources more, 314 00:15:14,847 --> 00:15:17,516 but I also think that in Idaho especially, 315 00:15:17,516 --> 00:15:19,351 we love our public lands. 316 00:15:19,351 --> 00:15:22,721 Our public lands are a great source of recreation. 317 00:15:22,721 --> 00:15:27,726 We love the wildlife that we get to hunt in Idaho, 318 00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:31,897 and I think that there needs to be a balance 319 00:15:31,897 --> 00:15:35,067 between federal sovereignty and state sovereignty. 320 00:15:35,067 --> 00:15:38,304 So I think that the way that the federal lands 321 00:15:38,304 --> 00:15:43,309 are currently managed might be able to be improved upon, 322 00:15:43,542 --> 00:15:47,079 but I haven't been in those congressional hearings 323 00:15:47,079 --> 00:15:49,315 or been able to participate in them 324 00:15:49,315 --> 00:15:52,051 to be able to give you a more thorough answer. 325 00:15:52,051 --> 00:15:54,186 I think right now what we're doing is good. 326 00:15:54,186 --> 00:15:56,989 I think we could probably have a higher emphasis 327 00:15:56,989 --> 00:15:59,591 on protecting those natural resources 328 00:15:59,591 --> 00:16:01,994 and making sure that they're not exploited. 329 00:16:01,994 --> 00:16:06,565 And that's all I have to say on that topic. (laughs) 330 00:16:06,565 --> 00:16:09,501 - What policies would you support to lower US debt? 331 00:16:10,436 --> 00:16:13,472 - I think when it comes to US debt, 332 00:16:13,472 --> 00:16:17,609 it's definitely important to talk about strategic spending. 333 00:16:17,609 --> 00:16:20,145 So I think that we have a lot of places 334 00:16:20,145 --> 00:16:24,483 where we could easily get, 335 00:16:27,319 --> 00:16:28,387 sorry (laughs). 336 00:16:28,387 --> 00:16:30,956 I think we have a lot of places 337 00:16:30,956 --> 00:16:33,659 where we could easily lower our spending 338 00:16:33,659 --> 00:16:35,427 and be able to make sure 339 00:16:35,427 --> 00:16:37,763 that we're prioritizing the right things. 340 00:16:37,763 --> 00:16:39,398 So, for example, a lot of people will say, 341 00:16:39,398 --> 00:16:42,501 "Well healthcare spending or spending on Medicare 342 00:16:42,501 --> 00:16:44,136 "or spending on food stamps 343 00:16:47,506 --> 00:16:48,841 "is not going to be the right priority," 344 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:50,342 but those cuts that we're making 345 00:16:50,342 --> 00:16:53,645 are actually not going to help our deficit 346 00:16:53,645 --> 00:16:56,782 because the money that we're actually cutting is so small. 347 00:16:56,782 --> 00:17:01,487 So I support reshaping our tax system 348 00:17:01,487 --> 00:17:04,390 so that companies who are making billions of dollars 349 00:17:04,390 --> 00:17:06,725 don't pay an effective tax rate of zero 350 00:17:06,725 --> 00:17:08,794 at the end of the tax process. 351 00:17:08,794 --> 00:17:10,796 That way we can tax effectively 352 00:17:10,796 --> 00:17:14,566 and then use that money to be able to support the values 353 00:17:14,566 --> 00:17:18,704 and the public policies that we value as Americans. 354 00:17:18,704 --> 00:17:22,040 And those programs help to fund education 355 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:25,911 and help to fund things that we find valuable as a society. 356 00:17:26,812 --> 00:17:31,817 = the US debt and deficit is serious and staggering. 357 00:17:32,384 --> 00:17:35,554 It was being brought down dramatically 358 00:17:35,554 --> 00:17:38,123 under the previous administration 359 00:17:38,123 --> 00:17:41,360 due to bipartisan efforts in Congress 360 00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:44,630 as well as sequestration. 361 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:47,232 That was all turned up on its head 362 00:17:47,232 --> 00:17:50,469 under the current president's administration 363 00:17:50,469 --> 00:17:54,273 with the passage of $2 trillion tax cuts 364 00:17:54,273 --> 00:17:57,376 for the rich and the wealthiest and corporations 365 00:17:57,376 --> 00:18:01,213 at the expense of millions of middle class families. 366 00:18:01,213 --> 00:18:04,283 And it put the debt on our children 367 00:18:04,283 --> 00:18:06,418 and our children's children. 368 00:18:06,418 --> 00:18:11,156 And that's just unfathomable. 369 00:18:12,090 --> 00:18:16,695 It also was deepened by billions and billions of dollars 370 00:18:16,695 --> 00:18:19,665 that have been paid out by the US Treasury Department 371 00:18:19,665 --> 00:18:23,035 for farmers and the losses that they've suffered 372 00:18:23,035 --> 00:18:27,172 due to the president's trade wars by Twitter. 373 00:18:28,140 --> 00:18:30,409 That is unacceptable. 374 00:18:30,409 --> 00:18:33,512 We need to get our economy back on track. 375 00:18:33,512 --> 00:18:37,749 We're gonna need to invest more in the economy 376 00:18:37,749 --> 00:18:40,853 to stabilize it and stimulate it, to keep individuals, 377 00:18:40,853 --> 00:18:43,856 working families, and small businesses whole. 378 00:18:43,856 --> 00:18:45,090 But when things bounce back, 379 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,759 we're gonna need to roll back those Trump tax cuts 380 00:18:47,759 --> 00:18:48,627 for the wealthy. 381 00:18:49,495 --> 00:18:51,530 - What role should the federal government play 382 00:18:51,530 --> 00:18:53,265 in addressing climate change? 383 00:18:54,132 --> 00:18:57,903 - As a native person, environmental stewardship 384 00:18:57,903 --> 00:19:01,673 is a centerpiece of our culture. 385 00:19:01,673 --> 00:19:05,143 Indigenous communities have long led the way 386 00:19:05,143 --> 00:19:07,946 in sounding the alarm about the urgent 387 00:19:07,946 --> 00:19:09,915 and impending climate crisis. 388 00:19:10,749 --> 00:19:15,454 I'm glad that the scientific community and consensus 389 00:19:15,454 --> 00:19:17,656 has caught up with that. 390 00:19:17,656 --> 00:19:19,324 Climate change is real. 391 00:19:19,324 --> 00:19:24,329 It's an urgent crisis that requires immediate action now 392 00:19:24,796 --> 00:19:27,666 to preserve our planet for current generations 393 00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:29,568 and not just future. 394 00:19:29,568 --> 00:19:33,005 It's caused by global population growth 395 00:19:33,005 --> 00:19:34,940 as well as industrialization. 396 00:19:36,241 --> 00:19:41,380 We need to have our federal government pass laws 397 00:19:41,380 --> 00:19:46,385 that implement sustainable policy-minded approaches 398 00:19:47,185 --> 00:19:49,888 for governments at all levels 399 00:19:49,888 --> 00:19:52,324 to help us put forth plans 400 00:19:52,324 --> 00:19:57,296 to transition to a clean, renewable energy economy 401 00:19:59,197 --> 00:20:02,968 to pave the way for 21st century jobs 402 00:20:04,102 --> 00:20:07,839 so that we can keep our air and water clean. 403 00:20:07,839 --> 00:20:10,576 And Idaho's representatives in Congress 404 00:20:10,576 --> 00:20:14,313 should always be leading the charge on that front. 405 00:20:15,414 --> 00:20:18,750 - The federal government has the ultimate role to play 406 00:20:18,750 --> 00:20:20,786 in addressing climate change. 407 00:20:20,786 --> 00:20:23,455 We need to get serious about the fact 408 00:20:23,455 --> 00:20:28,460 that we are creating this problem for the global community. 409 00:20:30,696 --> 00:20:32,364 And it is a global issue. 410 00:20:33,432 --> 00:20:35,567 The reason that the federal government needs 411 00:20:35,567 --> 00:20:37,235 to take the ultimate responsibility 412 00:20:37,235 --> 00:20:40,105 is because we have to work as a global coalition 413 00:20:40,105 --> 00:20:43,008 to be able to combat this very serious problem. 414 00:20:46,445 --> 00:20:47,946 So I don't think that climate change 415 00:20:47,946 --> 00:20:52,951 is a climate and preservation problem solely. 416 00:20:53,685 --> 00:20:57,055 I think that part of it is also an economic problem 417 00:20:57,055 --> 00:21:00,258 because we've already seen our fishing industry impacted 418 00:21:00,258 --> 00:21:02,694 where they have had to figure out new ways 419 00:21:02,694 --> 00:21:05,664 instead of siphoning water out from the ocean 420 00:21:05,664 --> 00:21:07,232 to figure out a way to filter it 421 00:21:07,232 --> 00:21:08,467 so it's not so acidic 422 00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:10,769 that it's killing off fish populations. 423 00:21:10,769 --> 00:21:13,805 We're seeing a lot of residual problems rising, 424 00:21:13,805 --> 00:21:15,574 and it's a national security issue too. 425 00:21:15,574 --> 00:21:17,175 And if we don't listen to scientists 426 00:21:17,175 --> 00:21:19,077 and don't try to stop pollution 427 00:21:19,077 --> 00:21:21,847 and try to mitigate this problem, 428 00:21:21,847 --> 00:21:26,218 we're going to see a lot of fallout in terms of wildfires, 429 00:21:26,218 --> 00:21:28,053 in terms of increased drought, 430 00:21:28,053 --> 00:21:30,689 and in terms of food production being halted. 431 00:21:30,689 --> 00:21:31,823 And we need to make sure 432 00:21:31,823 --> 00:21:33,225 that we're anticipating those problems 433 00:21:33,225 --> 00:21:34,993 before they actually happen, 434 00:21:34,993 --> 00:21:38,030 and that is a federal government response. 435 00:21:39,197 --> 00:21:40,132 - What are your priorities 436 00:21:40,132 --> 00:21:42,167 when it comes to immigration policy? 437 00:21:43,168 --> 00:21:45,404 - I think with our immigration policy, 438 00:21:45,404 --> 00:21:47,172 we need to remember that we need 439 00:21:47,172 --> 00:21:48,907 to be compassionate as humans. 440 00:21:50,275 --> 00:21:52,644 Immigrants, especially now with everything 441 00:21:52,644 --> 00:21:56,548 that's happening with essential works and crop production, 442 00:21:56,548 --> 00:21:58,316 we are seeing that immigrants actually play 443 00:21:58,316 --> 00:22:01,687 a really vital role in not only feeding the American people 444 00:22:01,687 --> 00:22:04,923 but also assimilating into communities. 445 00:22:04,923 --> 00:22:07,325 I know I read somewhere somebody said 446 00:22:07,325 --> 00:22:10,929 that only skilled workers should be allowed 447 00:22:10,929 --> 00:22:12,230 in the United States. 448 00:22:12,230 --> 00:22:15,133 And I keep thinking about my experience as an immigrant, 449 00:22:15,133 --> 00:22:19,371 because I am the kind of person that was a refugee 450 00:22:19,371 --> 00:22:22,340 and came into this country under refugee status. 451 00:22:22,340 --> 00:22:24,743 And I have been here for almost all of my life. 452 00:22:24,743 --> 00:22:27,646 I have Idaho running through my blood, 453 00:22:27,646 --> 00:22:30,182 but it's a misconception that I haven't done anything 454 00:22:30,182 --> 00:22:32,084 for my community, that I haven't contributed, 455 00:22:32,084 --> 00:22:33,485 that I haven't worked hard. 456 00:22:33,485 --> 00:22:35,120 I mean, I went to undergrad. 457 00:22:35,120 --> 00:22:36,154 I went to law school. 458 00:22:36,154 --> 00:22:37,155 I'm running for office. 459 00:22:37,155 --> 00:22:39,257 I'm participating fully in trying to solve 460 00:22:39,257 --> 00:22:40,926 some of the problems we face. 461 00:22:40,926 --> 00:22:43,862 And my story is not unique. 462 00:22:43,862 --> 00:22:46,298 We have a lot of other stories of immigrants 463 00:22:46,298 --> 00:22:48,934 who are maybe not extremely wealthy 464 00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:50,368 when they come into this country, 465 00:22:50,368 --> 00:22:53,805 but they work hard everyday to add to our communities. 466 00:22:53,805 --> 00:22:55,173 So I think we need to make sure 467 00:22:55,173 --> 00:22:58,443 that we are letting people in 468 00:22:58,443 --> 00:23:01,680 who are going to create that diversity 469 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,615 that we value as Americans 470 00:23:03,615 --> 00:23:08,353 and that we are also making sure to, 471 00:23:08,353 --> 00:23:10,355 I understand border security. 472 00:23:10,355 --> 00:23:13,225 And I understand the fact that we are a nation, 473 00:23:13,225 --> 00:23:15,594 and we can't let everybody in. 474 00:23:15,594 --> 00:23:20,265 But I think that a lot of the immigration problems 475 00:23:20,265 --> 00:23:22,634 that we see have been slightly hyped up 476 00:23:22,634 --> 00:23:24,035 by partisan politics. 477 00:23:24,035 --> 00:23:28,707 - There are a lot of opinions on this issue. 478 00:23:28,707 --> 00:23:31,009 I've lived it from all sides. 479 00:23:32,410 --> 00:23:36,381 My dad is an immigrant from Mexico. 480 00:23:36,381 --> 00:23:39,317 He came here during the 1960s 481 00:23:39,317 --> 00:23:41,820 to work in the farms and fields. 482 00:23:41,820 --> 00:23:43,622 He gained legal status 483 00:23:43,622 --> 00:23:46,925 under President Ronald Reagan's administration. 484 00:23:46,925 --> 00:23:51,930 I, myself, while in the Army National Guard, 485 00:23:52,564 --> 00:23:57,135 was deployed to the US-Mexico border 486 00:23:57,135 --> 00:23:58,770 to help protect it. 487 00:23:58,770 --> 00:24:00,505 So I know it up close. 488 00:24:02,674 --> 00:24:05,043 All of these experiences combined 489 00:24:05,043 --> 00:24:08,613 are part of what drive me to wanna be a part 490 00:24:08,613 --> 00:24:13,251 of working with Congressman Simpson 491 00:24:13,251 --> 00:24:18,256 to revamp our H-2A visa system, 492 00:24:18,723 --> 00:24:22,394 to bring about comprehensive immigration reform, 493 00:24:22,394 --> 00:24:27,399 to provide pathways to legal status and citizenship 494 00:24:29,901 --> 00:24:33,839 for undocumented persons, to protect DREAMers 495 00:24:33,839 --> 00:24:38,844 and TPS holders as well as stop the shameful separation 496 00:24:40,445 --> 00:24:42,180 of children and families. 497 00:24:44,382 --> 00:24:46,718 That's not in line with our values 498 00:24:46,718 --> 00:24:48,053 and who are as a country. 499 00:24:48,053 --> 00:24:52,524 We've gotta stay true to our history and heritage. 500 00:24:52,524 --> 00:24:54,192 Unless you're Native American, 501 00:24:54,192 --> 00:24:55,794 your ancestors were newcomers. 502 00:24:55,794 --> 00:24:58,196 We're a nation of immigrants, and we gotta stay that way. 503 00:24:58,196 --> 00:24:59,831 It's what makes us special, 504 00:24:59,831 --> 00:25:03,501 and we will always be amazing because of that. 505 00:25:04,603 --> 00:25:07,839 - You now have 60 seconds to give your closing remarks. 506 00:25:07,839 --> 00:25:11,176 - Thank you, Melissa, Idaho Public Television, 507 00:25:12,210 --> 00:25:14,479 Idaho Press Club, and all the partners 508 00:25:14,479 --> 00:25:17,182 who helped put this together during these trying times, 509 00:25:17,182 --> 00:25:20,685 who are making sure that we can keep people informed. 510 00:25:20,685 --> 00:25:22,854 I'm running for people like my dad, 511 00:25:22,854 --> 00:25:26,291 who lost his health insurance after being laid off, 512 00:25:27,425 --> 00:25:31,596 and we're better than that as a country. 513 00:25:32,964 --> 00:25:36,701 I am determined to make sure that 514 00:25:36,701 --> 00:25:39,704 that isn't a common occurrence for too many families 515 00:25:39,704 --> 00:25:41,840 who struggle to make ends meet. 516 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:44,242 I'm fighting for working families. 517 00:25:44,242 --> 00:25:47,145 I'm ready to hit the ground running in Washington. 518 00:25:47,145 --> 00:25:52,117 I hope to be able to earn your vote here in May, 519 00:25:52,817 --> 00:25:55,053 as well as in November. 520 00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:57,923 I'll never forget where I came from, 521 00:25:57,923 --> 00:26:02,494 and I've raised my right hand to serve this country before, 522 00:26:02,494 --> 00:26:03,929 and I'm ready to do it again. 523 00:26:05,397 --> 00:26:07,766 - At this point, we lost our connection with Nikolova, 524 00:26:07,766 --> 00:26:10,035 but she was able to give her closing remarks 525 00:26:10,035 --> 00:26:11,636 after we reconnected. 526 00:26:12,470 --> 00:26:15,440 - I'm not a politician, but I'm running for office 527 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:17,676 because I see a lot of problems in Congress, 528 00:26:17,676 --> 00:26:19,244 and I couldn't live with myself 529 00:26:19,244 --> 00:26:21,379 if I didn't do anything about it. 530 00:26:21,379 --> 00:26:23,615 We need to put partisan politics aside 531 00:26:23,615 --> 00:26:25,684 and start working with each other because, 532 00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:29,888 at the end of the day, regardless of political affiliation, 533 00:26:29,888 --> 00:26:31,289 we are all Americans, 534 00:26:31,289 --> 00:26:33,625 and we just need to start acting like it. 535 00:26:33,625 --> 00:26:36,695 Our country was built on a dream, 536 00:26:36,695 --> 00:26:39,898 "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." 537 00:26:39,898 --> 00:26:43,902 And it's my dream to see us working together as Americans 538 00:26:43,902 --> 00:26:47,072 to combat the real problems that face us today 539 00:26:47,072 --> 00:26:50,075 with climate change, inaccessible healthcare, 540 00:26:50,075 --> 00:26:52,544 a national infrastructure that needs investment, 541 00:26:52,544 --> 00:26:55,046 ensuring clean air and clean water, 542 00:26:55,046 --> 00:26:59,150 cybersecurity and national security in a technological age. 543 00:26:59,150 --> 00:27:01,553 I want to see Americans spend more time 544 00:27:01,553 --> 00:27:04,389 building each other up than we do breaking each other down, 545 00:27:04,389 --> 00:27:06,358 and it starts at the top. 546 00:27:06,358 --> 00:27:08,860 Elect me, and let's start moving forward 547 00:27:08,860 --> 00:27:10,996 with building an informed, accessible, 548 00:27:10,996 --> 00:27:12,530 and productive democracy. 549 00:27:13,932 --> 00:27:14,899 - Thank you for watching. 550 00:27:14,899 --> 00:27:17,869 Remember, the primary election is May 19th 551 00:27:17,869 --> 00:27:21,139 and will be conducted entirely via mail this year. 552 00:27:21,139 --> 00:27:23,775 You have until 8 p.m. local time on the 19th 553 00:27:23,775 --> 00:27:25,944 to register to vote and to request your ballot, 554 00:27:25,944 --> 00:27:28,346 which you can do at idahovotes.gov. 555 00:27:28,346 --> 00:27:29,848 And if you don't have internet access, 556 00:27:29,848 --> 00:27:33,251 you can contact your county clerk directly. 557 00:27:33,251 --> 00:27:34,686 In order for your vote to count, 558 00:27:34,686 --> 00:27:37,088 your county clerk must receive your completed ballot 559 00:27:37,088 --> 00:27:40,125 by 8 p.m. local time on June 2nd. 560 00:27:40,992 --> 00:27:43,261 We have one more candidate Q and A coming up, 561 00:27:43,261 --> 00:27:45,597 Republican candidates for congressional districts 562 00:27:45,597 --> 00:27:49,034 one and two, Nicholas Jones and Kevin Rhoades. 563 00:27:49,034 --> 00:27:53,538 We'll have their Q and As at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8th. 564 00:27:53,538 --> 00:27:54,906 We reached out to the campaigns 565 00:27:54,906 --> 00:27:58,443 for both representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, 566 00:27:58,443 --> 00:28:00,712 and they didn't get back to us. 567 00:28:00,712 --> 00:28:02,680 For more information on our candidate Q and As, 568 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:07,218 and to watch any you might've missed, go to idahoptv.org. 569 00:28:07,218 --> 00:28:09,821 (upbeat music) 570 00:28:16,928 --> 00:28:18,763 - [Announcer] "The Idaho Debates" is organized 571 00:28:18,763 --> 00:28:19,998 by these partners. 572 00:28:23,268 --> 00:28:26,938 Funding provided by the Friends of Idaho Public Television, 573 00:28:26,938 --> 00:28:29,340 the Idaho Public Television Endowment, 574 00:28:29,340 --> 00:28:32,243 and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. 575 00:28:32,243 --> 00:28:34,979 (dramatic music)