GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS "AZ VOTES 2024" SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT WE FEATURE A DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA'S 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

CD-4 COVERS MOST OF TEMPE AND PORTIONS OF PHOENIX MESA AND CHANDLER.

CANDIDATES IN TONIGHT'S DEBATE WILL BE GIVEN 60 SECONDS TO REPLY TO QUESTIONS, AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REBUTTALS.

LET'S INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: KELLY COOPER IS A REPUBLICAN, HE'S SERVED IN THE MARINE CORPS AND IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER... AND INCUMBENT GREG STANTON IS A DEMOCRAT.

HE'S THE FORMER MAYOR OF PHOENIX AND IS A FORMER STATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

CANDIDATES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, LET'S GET THINGS STARTED WITH OUR OPENING STATEMENTS.

AND WE START WITH KELLY COOPER.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

THANK YOU, GREG, FOR JOINING US FOR THE DEBATE AGAIN.

AS YOU SAID, I'M A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HERE IN THIS DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE THAT ARIZONA HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE.

I BELIEVE THAT OPTIMISM IS ABOUND, AND WE HAVE A VERY, VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF US.

BUT TODAY THE FAMILIES IN THIS DISTRICT STRUGGLING IF IT'S NOT YOU, YOU'RE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

WE HAVE INFLATION AT ACCUMULATED HIGH OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SECURITY AT A LOW FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

AND GREG STANTON HAS BEEN REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS OVERSEEING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

NOW, FOR ME, I BELIEVE THAT A LAWYER, LOBBYIST AND POLITICIAN EASILY IS OH SOABT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

MORE OF THE SAME ISN'T WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY LIKE MYSELF, A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND SMALL BUSINESS OWN HEAR THAT CAN HELP BRING PROSPERITY BACK HERE TO ARIZONA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE TURN NOW TO GREG STANTON.

>> I'M A HARDWORKING FATHER OF TWO TEENAGED KIDS, I'M A FORMER MAYOR.

I HAVE SERVED THE LAST SIX YEARS REPRESENTING THIS COMMUNITY IN CONGRESS.

AND I AM RANKED AS ONE OF THE MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

THAT'S PAID GREAT DIVIDENDS FOR THIS DISTRICT, SECURING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP US BEAT THE ONGOING DROUGHT, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY CREATING THOUSANDS OF HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN THE EAST VALLEY, LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES FOR OUR SENIORS AND WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE WITH MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES FUNDING A BUDGET THAT HAS A STRONGER MORE SECURE BORDER.

BUT I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT ABOUT WE NEED TO RESTORE ROE V. WADE AS THE LAW ACROSS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

RESTORE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

WE'VE GOTTA PASS THE BIPARTISAN BILL THAT DONALD TRUMP KILLED, WE'VE GOTTA LOWER MIDDLE CLASS TAXES.

GREAT THINGS CAN HAPPEN FOR OUR DISTRICT AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A GOOD DEBATE TONIGHT.

>> CONGRESSMAN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

INFLATION IS EASING BUT PRICES ARE STUBBORNLY HIGH.

AS YOUR OPPONENT JUST SAID, FAMILIES THROUGHOUT ARE STRUGGLING.

WHY IS THAT?

>> WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO ON INFLATION.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S LOWER NOW, IT IS STILL A CHALLENGE FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, NOT JUST HERE IN ARIZONA BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I'M WILLING TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND GET THINGS DONE AS I JUST MENTIONED.

WE CANS LOWER DRUG PRICES FOR ALL AMERICANS, JUST LIKE WE HAVE DONE FOR SENIORS ON MEDICARE.

I SUPPORT TAX POLICY THAT LOWERS TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS, AND I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT DISCUSSION ABOUT TAX POLICY HERE TONIGHT.

WE NEED TO FIGHT THE GROCERY STORES THAT ARE TRYING TO COME TOGETHER AND REDUCE COMPETITION, SAFEWAY AND FRYE'S ARE TRYING TO MERGE.

THAT'S GOING TO CLOSE STORES AROUND THE VALLEY AND RAISE GROCERY STORE PRICES, AND WE NEED TO INVEST IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I SUPPORT THE UNITY LAW WHICH WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

YES, IN MY BACKYARD LAW, WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I SUPPORT A TAX CREDIT FOR HOME BUILDERS TO BUILD FIRST-TIME HOUSING.

SO THERE'S A SERIES OF POLICIES THAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE MIDDLE CLASS, TO DEFEAT THIS INFLATION.

>> AND MR. COOPER, WHY IS INFLATION, WHY ARE PRICES SO STUBBORNLY HIGH, AND WHAT YOU JUST HEARD, WILL THAT NOT HELP?

>> NO.

ACTUALLY, I DON'T THINK IT REALLY DOES.

WHAT GREG HAS JUST DONE IS TALKED COMPLETELY AROUND THE ISSUE OF WHY PRICES ARE HIGH.

I DON'T BELIEVE I HEARD AN ANSWER IN THERE ONCE ABOUT WHY PRICES ARE HIGH.

I CAN TELL YOU, THE PRICES ARE HIGH BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES THAT HE SUPPORTED FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.

WE'VE SPENT MONEY RECKLESSLY WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY AND ANY TRANSPARENCY ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE'VE -- GREG SPECIFICALLY HAS VOTED SIX TIMES AGAINST ENERGY EXPLORATION, MAKING THE COST FOR ENERGY HIGHER.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE IN THE POSITION THAT WE ARE.

RECKLESS, WASTEFUL SPENDING AND BAD ENERGY POLICY AND GREG HAS SUPPORTED EVERY BIT OF WHAT'S GONE ON FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

SO TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE HERE, WE ARE EXPLORE FOR ENERGY HERE IN AMERICA, MAKE AMERICA ENERGY HERE DOMINANT.

WE ARE LOOK FOR AND MAKE SURE WE'RE REDUCING PRICES BUT THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO ATTACK GROCERY STORES, ONE OF THE SMALLEST MARGIN BUSINESSES THAT THERE IS AND ACCUSE THEM OF PRICE GOUGING AND MAKING HARDER TO GET PRODUCT, THAT'S OBNOXIOUS.

>> RESPOND PLEASE.

>> I OPPOSE THE MERGE EVEN BETWEEN FRYE'S AND SAFEWAY BECAUSE IT'S GONNA CLOSE GROCERY STORES AROUND THE VALLEY AND IN ARIZONA DISTRICT 4, AND REMEMBER BECAUSE OF LACK OF COMPETITION RAISE PRICES.

I'M ALSO GOING TO OPPOSE VEHEMENTLY WHEN I'M RELEGISLATED TO CONGRESS, IF TRUMP IS ELECTED, THE TRUMP TARIFF THAT I WANTS ACROSS THE BOARD, TARIFF WILL BE THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND ON ENERGY POLICY, I AM GLAD THAT DURING MY TIME IN CONGRESS AMERICA NOW PRODUCES MORE OIL THAN IT EVER HAS.

I SUPPORT AN ALL OF THE BOTCH ENERGY POLICY.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY BUT PRODUCING MORE OIL IN THIS COUNTRY NOW THAN WE EVER HAVE.

>> AND WHY IS IT THAT GAS PRICES ARE STILL DOUBLE WHAT THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO?

>> YOU DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN?

>> BECAUSE SIX TIMES YOU VOTED AGAINST ANY EXPLORATION OF ENERGY HERE AND IN ALASKA, ANY STATE ZONES, YOU OPPOSED ANYTHING THAT WE COULD DO TO BRING DOWN ENERGY COSTS.

IN FACT, I'M NOW PAYING FOR MY ELECTRIC BILL OVER $400 LIKE MANY OF THE FOLKS IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> IF KELLY COOPER IS SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD EXPLORE IN THE ALASKA NATURAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK WE CAN BALANCE THIS OUT, PROTECT ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS AND STILL PRODUCE THE OIL THAT WE NEED.

WE ARE PRODUCING MORE OIL IN AMERICA NOW THAN WE EVER HAVE.

AND I DO SUPPORT THIS TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY.

WE PASSED THE INOPERATION THAT REDUCTION ACT.

I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT THAT.

THAT HAS CREATED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLEAN ENERGY JOBS RIGHT HERE IN ARIZONA, DOWN THE STREET AT LUCID MOTORS, ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY, AT CORE POWER, A LEADING ELECTRIC BATTERY PLANT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE ARE LEADING THE WAY IN THIS DISTRICT, IN THIS STATE, ON CLEAN ENERGY.

SO IT'S NOT ONE OR THE OTHER.

WE CAN AND MUST DO BOTH.

>> WE CAN AND MUST DO BOTH WHICH INCLUDES NUCLEAR MAKING SURE WE HAVE A BASE LOAD ON OUR ENERGY GRID SO THEY DON'T COLLAPSE.

>> PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN PARTICULAR, WHETHER IT'S INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OR IT'S INTEREST, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, WHICH OPPONENTS SAY YOU'RE PRINTING MONEY AND THE ONLY THING THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU PRINT MONEY IS PRICES GO UP.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

WERE THOSE THINGS GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY?

>> INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, NOT ONLY IS IT THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY IN AMERICAN HISTORY CREATING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS HERE IN ARIZONA WE ARE THE LEADING STATE IN THE COUNTRY ON THAT.

IT'S ALSO THE BILL THAT ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT TO FINALLY GOVERNMENT LOWER DRUG PRICES IN THE MEDICARE SYSTEM, SAVING TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT'S ACTUALLY THE LARGEST DEFICIT REDUCTION BILL IN DECADES BECAUSE IT WILL LOWER COSTS BECAUSE WE'LL BE PAYING LESS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS IN THE MEDICARE SYSTEM.

>> WOW.

SO THEN WHY IS IT THAT I HAVE CONSTITUENTS IN THIS DISTRICT TELLING ME THAT NEXT YEAR THEIR MEDICARE PART D IS GOING UP FOUR TIMES, FOUR TIMES, GREG.

SO YOU'RE GONNA STAND HERE AND TELL US THAT YOU REDUCED THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, YES, FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE ON MEDICARE, MEDICAID FOR 10 DRUGS AND ALL THAT'S DONE IS PUSH THE COSTS TO ALL OF THE OTHER DRUGS AND COST ALL REST OF US SIGNIFICANTLY MORE MONEY.

IT'S GREAT.

WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD AND PROTECT THE ELD EARLY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INFIRMED IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE SHOULD BE DOING THESE THINGS, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE ELSE.

>> KELLY STARTED THE BILL, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT WILL INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> SO ESPECIALLY GROWTH IN THE MEDICARE SYSTEM BUT I'M GOING TO FIGHT NOT JUST FOR SENIORS ON MEDICARE BUT I WANT TO PASS REDUCED PHARMACEUTICAL PRICES THAT WE ARE DOING FOR ALL AMERICANS.

WE NEED TO TAKE ON BIG PHARMA, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE DONE IN CONGRESS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

OBVIOUSLY KELLY COOPER TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

I GUESS HE'LL BE IN BED WITH BIG PHARMA.

I HAVE TAKEN THEM ON.

IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> BIG FARM MAP ISN'T PRICE FIXING FOR THE PHARMACISTS.

IT'S LOOKING AT PRODUCTION AND BRINGING DOWN PRICES, NOT -- [ SPEAKING OVER ONE ANOTHER ] >> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE TRUMP EXTENDING THE TRUMP TAX CUT.

>> SURE.

>> YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

DO YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> I THINK THERE'S PARTS IT THAT WE HAVE TO BE EXTENDED, ABSOLUTELY.

THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY IS BUILT ON SMALL BUSINESSES.

LEGISLATION THAT GREG STANTON HAS SUPPORTED OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS HAS CREATED CONTINUED INFLATION.

IT HAS CREATED MORE AND MORE REGULATIONS, IT MAKES IT HARDER AND HARDER FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE MYSELF TO GET STARTED.

NOW, WHETHER THE CONSTITUENTS IN THIS DISTRICT WANT TO BE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OR WANT TO WORK FOR A LARGE COMPANY, THAT'S UP TO THEM.

BUT DIS DISMANTLING THE FABRIC AND FOUNDATION OF OUR SOCIETY AND HOW OUR ECONOMY WORKS IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.

AND SO, YES, THE 20% TAX CUT THAT'S IN THERE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD CONTINUE.

AND THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS IN THERE, AS WELL, THAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT.

>> LOOK, THIS YEAR-- WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TRUMP TAX CUTS TO COME UP.

THIS YEAR I VOTED FOR THE TAX POLICY COMING OUT OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMPANY THAT REDUCE THE TAX REDUCTION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ON EQUIPMENT PURCHASES AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND DID REINSTATE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, A MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT, WHICH WHEN IT WAS IN PLACE PREVIOUSLY, REDUCED CHILD POVERTY BY 50%.

AS IT RELATES TO THE TRUMP TAX CUTS, WE'RE GONNA FIGHT THEM BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT TRUMP HAS DONE AND WILL DO.

ME MADE A TAX POLICY THAT SUPPORTS THE LARGEST CORPORATION AND THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS.

HE WANTS TO GIVE THEM EVEN MORE TAX BREAKS, LAYER ON TOP OF THAT THE TRUMP TARIFF THAT HE WANTS TO PUT IN PLACE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE ON MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS.

INSTEAD, WE NEED A TAX POLICY THAT'S GOING TO SUPPORT THE MIDDLE CLASS.

LET'S LOWER TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE LARGEST CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

THAT WE HAVE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE TAX POLICY.

>> GREG, HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS OFFICE FOR SIX YEARS, AND IN YOUR TIME IN THIS OFFICE, HAVE YOU CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE SOMEONE LIKE ME, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, A HUSBAND AND FATHER IN THIS DISTRICT, I LIVE IN A NORMAL, 1500 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE WITHOUT A POOL IN CHANDLER, IN THE HEART OF THIS DISTRICT.

WELL, YOU DON'T.

YOU LIVE IN NORTH PHOENIX.

IN THIS DISTRICT I'M PAYING MORE FOR MY MORTGAGE, I'M PAYING MORE FOR MY ELECTRICITY.

I'M PAYING MORE FOR MY GAS, AND I'M PAYING MORE FOR MY GROCERIES BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIVE HERE.

YOUR POLICIES HAVE PUT PEOPLE AT THE BRINK OF FALLING OFF OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THEY ARE BARELY HANGING ON TO THE BOTTOM RUNG OF THIS LADDER, AND AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO TALK IN CIRCLES ABOUT TAX POLICY, THE TRUTH IS WHAT YOU HAVE SUPPORTED, WHAT YOU'VE PUSHED FORWARD IS COST PEOPLE ALL OF WHAT THEY HAD.

>> I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT KELLY COOPER AND HIS BUSINESS DURING COVID.

OBVIOUSLY KELLY COOPER IS CLAIMING POVERTY NOW BUT HE'S PUT $1.4 MILLION OF HIS OWN MONEY INTO HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT DOESN'T PENCIL OUT.

THERE IS A REAL SERIOUS ISSUE THERE.

BUT -- >> BUT I -- [ SPEAKING OVER ONE ANOTHER ] >> SMALL BUSINESS AND THE COMMUNITY IS EXACTLY WEIGH STATED.

I HAVE ALREADY VOTED FOR AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS INSTEAD OF WHAT IS COMING OUR WAY FROM THE TRUMP PROPOSAL, WHICH IS TO MAKE TAX CUTS GREATER FOR THE PETTIEST AMERICANS AND THE LARGEST CORPORATIONS AND THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE THROUGH TARIFFS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THAT DOESN'T SUPPORT WORKING CLASS AND MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS.

WHAT I PROPOSE IS EXACTLY WHAT -- >> I HAVE TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE.

MR. COOPER, ON IMMIGRATION.

IS AMERICAN BEING INVADED?

IS THE BORDER WIDE OPEN?

BECAUSE YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SAY YES.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

IT IS WIDE OPEN.

THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT -- THREE IN UNISON APPROACHES THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN BUT THE QUESTION IS MASS MIGRATION COMING ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER?

ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> IS ARIZONA BEING INVADED.

>> IS ARIZONA BEING INVADED BY MIGRANTS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER?

YES.

>> SO YOU'RE SAYING YES, AND YOU'RE SAYING THE BOARDER IS WIDE OPEN.

THERE'S BEEN AN 80% DROP IN MIGRANTS SINCE JUNE, SINCE THE CRACKDOWN IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

GOOD THING, THAT CRACKDOWN?

>> YEAH, OF COURSE, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO REDUCE ANY OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION THAT'S COMING ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

LISTEN, THIS NATION WAS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES OF SEND ME YOUR POOR, TIRED, HUDDLED MASSES AND WE STILL SHOULD STAND ON THOSE PRINCIPLES BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THOSE FOLKS SHOULD BE COMING IN BETWEEN THE PORTS OF ENTRY, COVERING AND HIDING, DRUG RUNNING, CHILD TRAFFICKING, WEAPONS TRAFFICKING, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GONE ON FOR THE LAST FOUR, SIX YEARS, AND I WILL TELL YOU ON TOP OF ALL OF THOSE THINGS, SOME OF THAT DROP IS NOW THE CVP FLYING PEOPLE DIRECTLY INTO THE CITY OF THEIR CHOOSING.

BUT THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES WITH OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY, BOTH IN LAW AND IN PRACTICE, THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED, THAT MUST BE CHANGED.

>> AND AN INVASION.

THE BORDER IS WIDE OPEN.

>> WE HAVE LOST OPERATION PATROL OF THE BORDER AND I'M GLAD THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN DID IMPLEMENT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WHICH HAS RESULTED EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAD MENTIONED.

THE BIGGEST DROP.

THE NUMBERS ARE AT LEVELS AS DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE.

CONGRESS NEEDS TO ACT.

THE BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WAS PROPOSED IN THE SENATE WAS AT REPUBLICAN, CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF A DEMOCRATIC -- AND KYRSTEN SINEMA, THAT DONALD TRUMP KILLED, THAT BILL DESERVES A VOTE, AND I SAID I WOULD VOTE FOR IT PUBLICALLY, AND I WOULD VOTE FOR IT -- I WILL VOTE FOR IT WHEN I GET BACK TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

AND I WAS ASKING PRESIDENT BIDEN MUCH EARLIER TO TAKE EXECUTIVE ACTION.

HE WAS WAITING FOR CONGRESS -- CONGRESS SUN FORTUNATELY DYSFUNCTIONAL ON THIS ISSUE.

WE NEED MORE MODERATE MEMBERS LIKE MYSELF WILLING TO COME TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE TO WORK ON THESE ISSUES, BUT CONGRESS NEEDS TO ACT.

NOT JUST ON GREATER BORDER SECURITY, MORE BORDER PATROL AGENTS, 22,000 OF THEM.

MORE TECHNOLOGY FOR CROSSING THE BORDER, MORE JUDGES AND ADMINISTRATION, PEOPLE IN CAN HELP SWIFTLY ADJUDICATE THESE CASES.

WE ALSO NEED APPROPRIATE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AND WE CAN AND MUST DO BOTH TO DO RIGHT BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> OKAY.

PLEASE.

>> THAT'S A WHOLE MOUTHFUL OF THINGS THAT DON'T AMOUNT TO MUCH OF ANYTHING FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.

OUR BOARDER IS BINGE SAIDED.

WE DO HAVE DRUGS COMING RAMP ABILITY ACROSS OUR BORDER.

GUNS BEING RUN.

WE HAVE KIDS GOING MISSING AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THAT BILL THAT HE'S POINTING OUT SAYS WE SHOULDN'T LIMIT MIGRATION THAT'S COMING ILLEGALLY ACROSS THAT SOUTHERN BORDER UNTIL IT REACHES 5,000 PEOPLE A DAY.

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A COMPROMISE TO YOU FOLKS IN THIS DISTRICT?

BECAUSE WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN THIS DISTRICT, WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER IS MASS MIGRATION.

THE IDEA THAT WE JUST NEED TO RUSH MORE PEOPLE DOWN THERE SO WE CAN ADJUDICATE FASTER IS A MISTAKE.

FIRST WE HAVE TO SECURE THE BORDER.

AFTER WE'VE SECURED THE BORDER, THEN QUESTION TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN HAVE MORE RESOURCES DOWN THERE TO PROCESS.

BUT IF YOU'RE PROCESSING BEFORE YOU SECURE THE BORDER, YOU JUST ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO COME.

>> SO A NO ON THAT BIPARTISAN BILL?

>> I AM NO ON ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

I'M GOING TO VOTE YES ON BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT MOVE FORWARD, SECURING OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

>> BUT THIS IS A NO FOR YOU.

>>> THIS IS A NO.

5,000 PEOPLE A DAY IS NOT SECURING THE BORDER.

>> FOR A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION -- IS PEOPLE IN -- >> HOLD ON.

>> I'M RANKED ONE OF THE MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BECAUSE OF MY WILLINGNESS TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND GET TO "YES."

THAT BILL DIDN'T INCLUDE SOME OF THE IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION RENORM WOULD ADVANCE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY BUT IN CONGRESS YOU HAVE TO REACH COMPROMISE IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MEMBER.

KELLY COOPER HAS STATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN HE WANTS TO JOIN THE EXTREMIST FREEDOM CAUCUS.

THAT'S THE CAUCUS OF PAUL GOSAR AND MARJORIE GREEN AND HE'S SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN -- >> ABSOLUTELY -- [ SPEAKING OVER ONE ANOTHER [ YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR CHANCE IN A SECOND, PLEASE.

>> AND I'M RANKED AS ONE OF THE MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BECAUSE OF MY WILLINGNESS TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET CONGRESS TO -- >> A COUPLE THINGS, THE SENATE FOR EFFECTIVE LAW-MAKING RANKS YOU AS ONE OF THE LEAST EFFECTIVE MEMBERS THAT EXIST TODAY.

YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY ONLY VOTED WITH JOE BIDEN.

AND 95% OF THE TIME YOU'RE VOTING WITH AOC.

YOU CLAIMED TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE STOOD ON THE STAGE MY POSITION ON ABORTION, YOU'RE CLAIMING TODAY MY POSITION ON WHICH CAUCUSES THAT I WANT TO JOIN.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO I AM OR WHAT I'M TALL ABOUT.

SO 60 UP HERE CLAIMING FALSELY THAT I WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS AND JOIN PAUL GOSAR'S GANG IS PATENTLY FALSE AND DOESN'T REPRESENT WHO I AM.

SO AS YOU'VE BEEN IN THE MEDIA LYING ABOUT WHO I AM FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AS YOU CONTINUE TO LIE HERE ON THIS STAGE TO THE VOTERS OF THIS DISTRICT, I'M NO LONGER GOING TO ALLOW IT.

>> MR. COOPER, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ABORTION.

WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO REGARDING ABORTION, BAN COMPLETELY?

SHOULD IT CODIFY?

>> CONGRESS SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING ISSUES THEY'RE FACING, OUR DISTRICT, OUR STATE, AND OUR NATION TODAY.

THE CURRENT -- I HAVE A WIFE.

I HAVE A DAUGHTER, A 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

NOW, FOR THE VOTERS OF THIS DISTRICT, I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE ONE THAT CLAIMS OR HAS TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

THE GIFT OF BEARING SLIME HUGE.

BUT MY POSITION, LAST CYCLE, MY POSITION THIS CYCLE, IS EXACTLY THE SAME.

THE LAW HERE IN ARIZONA STATES THERE IS ABORTION BAN AT 15 WEEKS, AND THE VOTERS HERE IN ARIZONA GOAT DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO PUSH THAT FORWARD.

THERE IS A PROPOSITION ON THE BALLOT FOR ABORTION TO -- WHETHER THEY WANT TO MAKE GO FURTHER OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO AGAINST THAT.

BUT AS IT STANDS IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW, THE VOTERS ARE THE -- THE WOMEN THIS DISTRICT THAT HAVE TO MAKE THAT CHALLENGING DECISION CAN DO IT UP TO 15 WEEKS I AM NOT A DOCTOR.

I AM NOT SOMEBODY THAT BELONGS IN YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE, AND I DON'T BELONG IN YOUR HOME.

THESE ARE THE SAME POSITIONS I HELD LAST CYCLE, AND GREG ON THIS STAGE WITH YOU.

>> WHAT IS.

>> IT WAS STARRY DECISIVE, IT WAS ESTABLISHED LAW FOR 49 YEARS, ALMOST 50 YEARS.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN AMERICA THAT A ACROSS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> IT'S NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> WAS WHISKED AWAY FROM WOMEN ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

SO YOU BETTER BELIEVE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA I'VE BEEN ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING FOR PROPOSITION 139, ARIZONA FOR ABORTION ACCESS, SO WE CAN RE-ESTABLISH THIS IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT WITHIN ARIZONA.

>> BUT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT SHOULD NOT BE STATE BY STATE.

THIS SHOULD BE NATIONALLY.

WHEN I GET BACK TO CONGRESS, WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT, WHICH WILL RE-ESTABLISH ROE V. WADE AS THE LAW OF THE LAND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE ARE GOING TO RE-ESTABLISH THIS IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

THAT WAS RIPPED AWAY.

AND AS KELLY COOPER HAS SAID I'M LYING, HE GOES ON THESE EXTREMIST PODCASTS AND SAYS THESE BOMBASTIC THINGS.

HE MUST NOT BE LISTENING TO HIS OWN RHETORIC OR MAYBE HE DOESN'T MEAN IT WHEN HE GOES ON.

WAS HE TELLING THE TRUTH WHEN HE GOES ON THESE PODCASTS, IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH NOW?

THE TRUTH IS HE WAS A CHEERLEADER WHEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT PASSED THE DOBB DECISION.

>> I NEED TO YOU RESPOND TO THAT, PLEASE.

>> AGAIN, I SUPPORT THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

IT'S LEGALLY SOUND.

AND IT IS FOUNDATION IN HOW OUR COUNTRY WAS DESIGNED.

OUR COUNTRY WAS DESIGNED AS 50 INDIVIDUAL STATES WITH A CENTRAL PROTECTIVE GOVERNMENT FOR FEDERAL.

ABORTION ISN'T LISTED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

ABORTION IS NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

IT WAS SETTLED LAW FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, BUT IT WAS RETURNED BACK TO THE STATES, AND THE VOTERS IN THIS DISTRICT GET TO MAKE THAT CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.

[ SPEAKING OVER ONE ANOTHER ] >> I DON'T BELONG IN YOUR HOME.

>> QUICKLY, BOTH, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS IN HERE.

CONGRESSMAN, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU.

NAME A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION POLICY THAT YOU ARE VERY MUCH AGAINST, WERE VERY MUCH AGAINST, WOULD BE VERY MUCH AGAINST.

>> LOOK, I WAS VOCAL.

I'M INVOLVED IN NEW DEMOCRATS, WHICH IS THE MODERATE CAUCUS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

I CHAIR THEIR BORDER SECURITY TASK FORCE.

AND I WAS VOCALLY TELLING THE PRESIDENT HE NEEDED TO ACT EARLIER THAN HE DID, MUCH EARLIER THAN DID HE.

HE FINALLY LISTENED TO MY ADVICE, BUT I WAS SWIMMING UPSTREAM WHEN I WAS SUGGESTING HE NEEDED TO TAKE EXECUTIVE ACTION ON BORDER SECURITY.

I'M GLAD HE DID, BUT I WAS IN AN OPPOSITE POSITION FOR A LONG TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT, MR. COOPER, TRUMP.

DONALD TRUMP SAYS A LOT OF THINGS AND WHAT DO YOU DISAGREE WITH HIM ABOUT?

AND WHAT WOULD YOU DISAGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER?

>> YOU KNOW, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'D HAVE TO HEAR SPECIFICALLY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE TURNED OFTEN VOTERS IN THIS DISTRICT AND REALLY AMERICA ARE THINGS THAT I WOULDN'T AGREE WITH.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT POLICY THAT'S FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL ECONOMY, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, SECURITY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER, SECURITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM, I'M GONNA BE SUPPORTIVE OF ALL OF THE LEGISLATION AND ALL THE POLICY THAT WE MOVE THOSE THINGS FORWARD.

>> BUT NOTHING COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH DONALD TRUMP ON?

>> I CAN'T GIVE YOU A POLICY POSITION THAT I THINK I WOULD DISAGREE WITH HIM ON.

>> GENTLEMEN, WE'RE GOING TO WRAP IT UP RIGHT THERE.

THANK YOU BOTH.

IT'S NOW TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE START WITH KELLY COOPER.

>> THANKS, TED.

THANKS, GREG.

APPRECIATE THE SPIRITED DEBATE TONIGHT.

ARIZONA, THE ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT I THINK THAT IS FOR YOU TO DECIDE IS WHETHER YOU WANT TWO MORE YEARS OF THE SAME.

YOU HAD SIX YEARS OF FAILED POLICY.

YOU'VE HAD SIX YEARS OF A LAWYER, A LOBBYIST, AND A POLITICIAN THAT IS REPRESENTED FROM NORTH PHOENIX THE BEST INTEREST OF BIG BUSINESS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT I HAVE INVESTED HEAVILY IN MY CAMPAIGN, BECAUSE I WILL ANSWER TO NOBODY IN WASHINGTON.

MY LOYALTIES, REGARDLESS OF DONALD TRUMP OR ANYBODY ELSE, LIE WITH YOU, THE VOTERS IN THIS DISTRICT.

MY LOYALTY LIES WITH THE AMERICAN DREAM AND THE FOUNDATION OF THIS NATION.

SO I WILL GO TO CONGRESS ON YOUR BEHALF, REPRESENT THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS MUCH YOU IN THIS DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD POLICY BOTH FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL ECONOMICS, FOR THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, AND FOR SECURITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM EXIST ON FOR NOT ONLY MY CHILDREN, BUT THE OTHER CHILDREN OF THIS DISTRICT.

I ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE, FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND I PROMISE YOU, I'LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND NOW THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM GREG STANTON.

>> THANKS, TED.

THANKS FOR A GOOD DEBATE HERE TONIGHT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT ONCE AGAIN.

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND YOUR VOTE.

WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS WHEN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIGHT FOR THE INTEREST OF THE EAST VALLEY IN CONGRESS.

BUT WE STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

IN TERMS OF LOWERING COSTS, WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT WE LOWER DRUG PRICES FOR ALL AMERICANS, NOT JUST FOR THOSE ON MEDICARE.

I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR A MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT.

NOT TAX POLICY SUPPORTS THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS AND LARGEST CORPORATIONS.

AND I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING, PASSION POLICIES THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO BUILD HOUSING, PASSING POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, REDUCING THE COSTS OF HOUSING.

IT'S BEEN MY HONOR TO SERVE THIS BE COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS IN CONGRESS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR CANDIDATES AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

OUR NEXT ARIZONA HORIZON DEBATE WILL BE THIS THURSDAY OCTOBER 17TH, AS WE HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3.

THAT'S THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 AT 5PM, RIGHT HERE ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

AND YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF OUR SHOWS LIVE ON ARIZONAPBS ORG OR STREAMED LIVE ON YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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