Ruiz, Stone debate ahead of November Election
U.S. Congressional candidates, incumbent Doctor Raul Ruiz and his challenger State Senator Jeff Stone, took the podium Sunday to give their political views for the first time ahead of the November elections.
The first topic focused on gun control, in the wake of two Palm Springs Police Officers killed in the line of duty one week before.
“We need to make sure that we have comprehensive background checks,” said Stone. “We need to make sure that people that are felons don’t have weapons.”
“We recently experienced what a dangerous person getting a dangerous gun can do to our law enforcement,” Ruiz countered. “What our federal government can do is to continue to support our law enforcement by giving them the tools and resources they need to protect themselves and to protect others.”
Other topics ranged from healthcare, to climate change and immigration.
“The first thing we need to do is to let the border patrol do their job,” said Stone. “If we need more agents, get them to do their job.”
“We need to accept more Syrian refugees, and we also need to make sure that they don’t pose a threat to national security,” argued Ruiz.
Both candidates even had the chance to ask a question of their opponent. Ruiz asked Stone about his view on marriage equality.
“He states that he’s for civil union, but I really want him to explain why he would not approve gay marriage, or he’s not a believer in marriage equality for the LGBT community,” said Ruiz.
Stone replied by stating “the definition of marriage, I believe, is something, an institution between a man and a woman.”
“I support the same rights,” Stone added. ” Call it marriage without calling it marriage. The same rights for same-sex couples.”
The debate became contentious when the topic transitioned to the topic of world politics. The Senator and the Congressman went back and forth over the Iran Deal.
“We need to keep our foot on the throttle,” said Ruiz. “We need to continue to put a choke hold on their economy. We have to continue to fight for human rights, and we have to continue to make sure Iran does not sponsor terrorism anywhere in the world.”
“They can develop a nuclear bomb and be in compliance with a deal that you signed on to,” said Stone. “That puts Israel in harms way. Puts your twins in harms way. Puts my grandchildren in harms way long after probably you and I are out of office.”
“What makes you think you know more than the commander-in-chief.” Ruiz countered. “The current commander-in-chief of the Israeli Defense Forces, who had said they had eliminated Iran’s ability to acquire a nuclear bomb in the short term, and in the long term greatly.”
Both candidates made a strong push for votes in what is the home stretch of this election cycle.
CBS Local 2 anchor Brooke Beare, KESQ News Channel 3 anchor John White and Desert Sun political reporter Jesse Marx moderated the debate.
