On October 25th, Adam Gray and John Duarte discussed various issues ranging from environmental health, abortion, affordable housing, food prices, same-sex marriage, social security and Medicare, gas prices, immigrant status, and the Latino community. Here is a breakdown of their key highlights and analysis:
Working with the opposing political party:
Both Gray and Duarte consider themselves centrist candidates. Gray emphasized his bipartisan work and ability to pass bills with Republicans, highlighting the importance of looking at his record rather than rhetoric. On the other hand, Duarte focused on his commitment to the Central Valley community and his endorsements from a diverse political spectrum, showcasing his ability to work across party lines.
Maintenance of clean water:
Duarte proposed investing in treated water plants to address water quality issues in the valley, highlighting the need for federal support. Gray stressed the importance of improving water infrastructure and criticized the lack of progress in California’s water supply over the years.
Climate whiplash:
Gray advocated for renewable energy solutions and emphasized the need for responsible leadership to address climate change. Duarte called for a focus on nuclear power and natural gas as cleaner energy alternatives, raising concerns about California’s energy costs.
Abortion:
Duarte expressed his pro-choice stance and highlighted his support for women’s reproductive rights. Gray emphasized protecting the freedom of choice in California and criticized Duarte’s endorsement by a pro-life organization.
Affordable Housing:
Duarte proposed redirecting infrastructure funding to make housing more affordable, while Gray suggested investing in programs to train more construction workers to address housing shortages.
Income vs. food prices:
Gray highlighted collaboration with nonprofits and local governments to create opportunities for industries and emphasized the need to address income inequality. Duarte focused on improving economic efficiency to lower the cost of goods for families in the valley.
Same-sex marriage:
Both candidates supported same-sex marriage, with Gray emphasizing equality and Duarte highlighting his personal support for LGBTQ rights.
Social Security and Medicare:
Duarte stressed the importance of bipartisan collaboration to protect Medicare and Social Security trust funds, while Gray criticized Republican leaders for proposed cuts to these programs.
Gas prices:
Gray advocated for increased energy production and renewable energy investments to address gas prices, while Duarte criticized Gray for raising gas taxes without improvements in infrastructure.
High-Speed Railway Project:
Gray called for better management of the High-Speed Railway project, while Duarte argued for redirecting funds to more critical needs like water treatment plants.
Immigrant status:
Gray proposed an immigration policy that prioritizes work visas and green cards, while Duarte emphasized the need for secure borders and effective border patrol.
Latino Community:
Gray highlighted his support for law enforcement and investments in education and healthcare for the Latino community, while Duarte emphasized the need to address water issues and economic opportunities for newly immigrated families.
In their closing statements, Duarte emphasized his dedication to the Central Valley and securing federal resources for local communities, while Gray highlighted his track record of prioritizing valley residents and putting people above party politics.
As the election approaches, voters have the opportunity to consider the candidates’ stances on various issues and make an informed decision at the polls. Remember, your vote matters, so make it count!
