MODESTO, Calif. — With just days left until the crucial 2024 election, candidates in California’s razor-thin 13th Congressional District are aiming to sway voters to their side.
During a debate at the Modesto State Theater last Friday, Republican U.S. Rep. John Duarte announced that he had introduced a new proposal earlier in the day proposing comprehensive immigration reform.
This was one of the key issues that highlighted a lively 90-minute debate against Democrat Adam Gray. Audience members grabbed popcorn and took their seats at the nearly full State Theatre.
Although debate organizers urged the audience to keep noise to a minimum throughout the night, the debates elicited emotional responses from the audience and resulted in candidates questioning each other’s answers to questions. There was applause, jeers, and occasional groans as the exchanges took place. Moderator.
The discussion was sponsored by the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Capital Public Radio, KVPR, the Maddie Institute, and the University of California Merced Center for Analysis and Political Engagement.
This is the only debate in which both candidates have participated this election cycle. Mr. Duarte and Mr. Gray are scheduled to debate again on October 31st on KXTL Fox 40 in Sacramento.
What does Duarte’s immigration bill include?
The debate was generally respectful, with both candidates shaking hands at the beginning and end of the event. One of the issues in the debate was when Mr. Duarte spoke about his new bill.
The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act would provide a path to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants. At the same time, however, there is a need to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border.
Duarte said his bill contains elements neither party likes, but believes a solution is long overdue.
“I am advocating for candidates running for president, and I am joining my colleagues in Congress in urging them to make the compromises and cross the line on immigration legislation that we all need,” Duarte said. “I’m doing it,” he said.
He added, “If this bill had been passed five, 10, 15 years ago, America would be a safer, stronger country today.”
Duarte’s bill would grant immigrants temporary protected status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. It would also benefit immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for five years without committing a crime, and undocumented immigrants who are married to or have U.S. children.
The bill would require the Board of Audit to certify within five years that the border is safe, with a 90% detection and arrest rate for border crossers.
Duarte proposes that if both cases are upheld within that period, those provisional visas will become green cards. The bill piggybacks on the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which was signed into law in 1986 and granted green cards to about 2.7 million immigrants.
The submission period for the Reform Management Act ended in 1998.
But Gray pushed back, questioning the timing of Duarte’s bill and the fact that Senate Republicans have blocked efforts in recent months to pass bipartisan border security legislation.
“This is exactly the lack of seriousness I’m talking about. We don’t need an immigration reform bill at election time, we need people to buckle down and do the hard work,” Gray said.
Mr. Duarte’s immigration reform plan also comes at a time when many Republicans are embracing the message of former President Donald Trump, who touted plans to deport large numbers of immigrants if re-elected. are.
Gray, Duarte defend position on abortion rights
Abortion was also a central topic of discussion during Friday’s debate. The issue has become a national hot topic as reproductive justice advocates seek freedom for women after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.
Duarte and Gray sought to position themselves as candidates sensitive to women’s needs. Duarte emphasized his support for a bill that would provide transportation assistance to pregnant military women stationed in states where abortions are not allowed when traveling to states where abortions are allowed.
He also championed support for the Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would require health care providers to treat infants born alive from attempted abortions with the same care as if they were intentionally delivered.
“For me, being born alive does not mean an abortion,” Duarte said. “I’ve been pro-choice. I’m going to stay pro-choice.”
Mr. Gray pledged support for codifying the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
He was quick to point out that the anti-abortion advocacy group Californians for Life supports Duarte. Mr. Duarte is endorsed by the California Pro-Life Council.
“[Duarte] “He’s someone who will say anything at election time to get elected in a district where he knows the majority of voters want freedom protections,” Gray said.
voters support candidates
The debate drew a packed venue filled with supporters of both candidates. This included some elected officials.
Priya Rakireddy, a Merced district school board member who has already voted for Gray, said reproductive freedom is important to her as a mother.
“I really want someone who will protect women’s rights,” she said. “I have two daughters, so I believe that women have the right to choose what they choose.”
In the 2022 midterm elections, Mr. Gray lost to Mr. Duarte by just 564 votes.
On Friday, Mr. Gray attacked Mr. Duarte, claiming that Mr. Duarte has not fulfilled his promises while in office. Although many young people do not vote, they are seen as a key voting group in this election because they are excited about the presidential election and have the potential to bring about change.
But Madera City Councilwoman Cecilia Gallegos, who was in the audience and supports the Republican Party, said she had already voted for Duarte in the race.
“He did a great job the first two years,” Gallegos said. “Guys, calm down, give him two more, and you’ll see great things coming for us.”
