The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hopefuls in two closest House races trade shots
Candidates for Georgia’s two most competitive congressional races clashed during Tuesday’s debate on topics including health care, the coronavirus pandemic and election security.
The Affffffffffffordable Care Act and Republicans’ attempts to dismantle it came up several times during the debate between Democrat LucyMcBath and her challenger in the 6th Congressional District, Karen Handel. McBath, a breast cancer survivor, said she had worked to protect coverage for peoplewith preexisting conditions and lower prescription drug costs.
“I promise to continue to fifight to make sure that health care is accessible to each and everyone,” McBath said. ‘ It is not a privilege, that is your right as an American.”
Handel, a Republican, accused McBath of misrepresenting her record while in office and not
doing enough during two years inWashington towork with Republicans to pass health care legislation into law.
“The Democrats don’t want to solve the problem, they want political talking points for campaign ads,” Handel said.
The 6th District race provides a rare opportunity for voters to dissect the voting records of both candidates, who have each represented the suburban Atlanta seat. Handelwas elected in a 2017 special election, andMcBath unseated her in 2018.
Theirdebate, hostedbythe Atlanta Press Club, showed the differences between the two. Handel supportsRepublicans’ efforts to quickly confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. McBath said she fears Barrett will support repealing the Affordable Care Act and take away access to abortion.
McBath said Congress should implement new safeguards to protect voter access, and she accusedHandel of employing voter suppression tactics during her time asGeorgia’s secretary of state. Handel said she oversaw the 2008 election with historic turnout and that it was a success.
The 7thCongressional District debatewas equallycombative, with Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux and Republican RichMcCormick squaring off in the race to replace retiringU. S. Rep. RobWoodall. Bourdeaux, a public policy professor and veteran policy analyst, ran against Woodall in 2018 and came within 500 votes of winning the seat. McCormick, an emergency room doctor and Marine veteran, is a first- time candidate.
The two clashed over hot- button issues such as immigration, health care and how best to help the district during the COVID- 19 pandemic. On several occasions, McCormick called Bourdeaux a liar and a hypocrite. Bourdeaux, in turn, accusedMcCormick of being a part of the Republicans’ record of COVID failures, including notwearing a protectivemask to his own political events.
“I think I’m doing things rightwhen I’m the one that treats patients for a living,” McCormick shot back.
Whenthe candidates stuck to the issues, their divergent approaches to large- scale problem solving were on vivid display. McCormick favored less regulation and lower taxes over new legislation, describing the federal government as “a necessary evil.” Bordeaux outlined detailed policy prescriptions for everything from supporting immigrant communities in the district to reopening schools during the pandemic.
On the question of whether Congress should pass extended unemploymentbenefits for peoplewho have lost their jobs during the pandemic, McCormick said recent unemployment benefits have been so generous people made more money not working than working.
“If you want to support peoplewho cannot go back towork legitimately, then of course, but don’t encourage people to stay unemployed,” McCormick said.
Bordeaux said she favors another round of COVID relief for businesses and individuals, but she added, “Thereasonweneedanother packageofsupportisbecause our president and our governor and unfortunatelymany Republicanshave failed toget this disease under control.”
The most bitter accusations camewhenBourdeaux accused McCormick of “downplaying the virus” and the effect it’s had on people’s lives.
McCormick called thatdishonest and added: “The fact is the ER is empty now, the ICU is empty now, the floor is empty now. ”