U.S. Senate candidates face off for last time as polling shows race is tightening
Candidates for Washington state’s U.S. Senate seat met on Sunday night for their final face-to-face town hall, just days after recent polls showed Tiffany Smiley closing in on 30-year incumbent Sen. Patty Murray.
The polling showed Murray with only a slight lead over her opponent at 49.4%. Of the 1,207 likely Washington voters who responded, 48.2% said they would vote for Smiley. The Trafalgar Group conducted the poll between Oct. 25 and Oct. 28.
Murray’s lead has narrowed considerably after Seattle Times polling from Oct. 20 showed the longtime Senator with an 8-point advantage.
Audience members submitted questions for Sunday night’s event and each candidate was given two minutes to respond. Monique Ming Laven, an anchor for the media outlet, moderated the town hall at the KIRO7 studio in Seattle.
The candidates were first questioned about political division, and how they would best reunite the country beyond political parties.
“We are more alike than we are different,” Smiley said. It was unclear what her plan for reunification would be, although she said she believed it was time for the country and state to “move forward.”
Murray elaborated on her past and current track record of reaching across the aisle, and said that she tries to listen to those she disagrees with. She also said she urges voters to use their voices, and to avoid inciting violence.
Both candidates said Joe Biden was the fairly elected president after a viewer asked exactly who won the 2020 presidential election.
The candidates then were asked what the government should have done to improve the economic situation, and what the candidates propose to address inflation moving forward.
Smiley criticized the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, and cast doubt on their ability to lower everyday costs for families. She also claimed she would reign in “out-of-control spending” by permanently expanding the 2017 tax cuts as well as prevent “the 87,000 IRS agents” from going after “small businesses and hardworking Washington families.”
The assertion that 87,000 new IRS agents have been hired is false, but Smiley continues to repeat the claim or includes it on her website.
Murray defended the Inflation Reduction Act, and said it would not only provide lower healthcare costs, but lower energy costs in the long run. Providing child care is a big focus for Murray moving forward, as well as housing. While she supports President Joe Biden using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices in the short term, she said she believes the country should be moving towards a clean energy economy.
Smiley told reporters after the town hall meeting that she believes using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is dangerous.
A high-school student at the town hall asked the candidates about their position on gun control in Washington, and about their Second Amendment interpretation.
“I absolutely believe that there’s more we can do to prevent gun violence in this country,” Murray said.
Murray said she supports stronger gun safety measures such as bans on assault weapons and ghost guns, and said she supports better background checks.
Smiley said she believes in protecting Second Amendment rights while also “ensuring that guns do not get in the hands of criminals.” When asked about specific gun control measures, Smiley said she would support the gun control bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate but that crime and mental health should instead be addressed immediately.
Candidates also were questioned about their support for U.S. aid for Ukraine.
Smiley said the U.S. along with NATO allies should give Ukraine “everything they need” and “show strength on the world stage.”
Murray said she thinks it is important to continue to support Ukraine and “their fight for democracy.” Going forward, she said she would evaluate any additional requests for funding, like she does for everything, she said.
Nearly $18 billion in support for Ukraine has come from the U.S. since February, as recently reported by the Associated Press.
The candidates were also asked about climate change, and the best ways to protect Washingtonians from climate catastrophes such as wildfires.
Murray said moving to a clean energy economy would help prevent “extreme weather conditions.” Investing now in resiliency is critical as well, she said. Murray suggested that Smiley is a climate denier, something Smiley immediately vehemently denied.
But that suggestion was not without merit, as Smiley has previously declined to answer whether or not climate change is caused by humans, while also calling for more fossil fuels.
Smiley was asked again if she believes humans influence climate change.
“Absolutely. Yes. Yep,” Smiley responded.
Murray was asked if she supports forest management.
She pointed to additional funding provided in the bipartisan infrastructure bill for firefighters and emergency management. Murray also said she believes in forest thinning, but that more needs to be done.
The debate then shifted to Medicare, where candidates were asked how they were going to protect the program.
“I will not touch anyone’s benefits who are receiving, or about to receive benefits,” Smiley responded.
Murray said Medicare is one of the most important programs provided at the federal level, and said she will always work to make it secure for the future.
The last question of the evening was about immigration and concerns over citizenship. Candidates were asked where they stand on granting citizenship to Dreamers, specifically.
Murray noted that she has supported Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and said she will continue to vote to protect it. Additionally, she said she wants to fix the immigration system to include a path to citizenship and a better system for asylum seekers. Murray also said she would support those who apply as Dreamers in the future.
Smiley said the U.S. owes Dreamers a pathway to legal citizenship. She said there needs to be immigration reform and to “ensure a pathway to legal status in this country that works.” However, Smiley said she believes that “securing the border” should be done before new applicants as Dreamers are allowed.
The last day to vote is Nov. 8. Ballots must be turned in by 8 p.m.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 9:47 AM with the headline "U.S. Senate candidates face off for last time as polling shows race is tightening."
