It was a lively debate between State Senate Candidates Tim Knopp, a Republican, and Geri Hauser, a Democrat. They are running for the District 27 Senate seat formerly held by Chris Telfer of Bend. Knopp defeated Telfer in the Republican primary last May.
In an hour long debate on 1110 KBND-AM radio Monday morning the two outlined their contrasts with one another and disagreed over Hauser's statements made regarding a state sales tax.
Hauser immediately brought up a local mailer that said she supports a sales tax, and refuted her opponent interpretation of recent public comments.
"Hauser: i just saw a mailer that came out that says i support a sales tax- i did not say that- i may have rambled and said i saw people come in from out of state - use our parks and lakes and roads and leave their garbage...it would be nice if they could leave something behind- Knopp: everybody at the debate thought you did - you could've just said "no" and that would've been the end of it- but instead you just rambled on - Hauser: you can listen to the audio - Knopp: we did- we listened to it over and over again...Hauser: i think we need to work on tax reform on the state level- but we can't take things out until we find a way to put it back."
The candidates also talked about their approaches to cutting government waste and regulation. They also discussed a ballot measure that would phase out Oregon's inheritence Tax. Knopp supports the measure, Hauser was critical of it.
Hauser also said one clear contrast between her and Knopp is her pro-choice stance.
"hauser: THE CONTRAST IS - I SUPPORT a WOMaN'S RIGHTS TO CHOOSE- I SUPPORT THE MIDDLE CLASS- NOT TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS ..."
Knopp: ONE DIFFERENCE I have with my opponent IS I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR CREATING JOBS - MY OPPONENT IS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE - NO EXPERIENCE IN THAT(creating jobs)"
Listeners called in questions and sent in emails to the candidates. The entire debate will rerun this coming Sunday at 10 a.m. on 1110 KBND-AM.
