Kennedy and Wright discuss important issues in the 3rd District congressional debate at BYU

Candidates for the US House of Representatives Dr. Mike Kennedy and veteran Glenn Wright participated in the 3rd Congressional District debate on October 17, hosted by BYU Broadcasting.

The candidates were asked about key issues such as energy, immigration, budget balancing and housing regulation.

When asked about Utah’s energy needs, both candidates looked to the Uinta Basin with similar ideas about clean and environmentally friendly energy.

“We have some great opportunities in this state, too,” Wright said. “There are new developments in geothermal energy and we are finding that the Uinta Basin also offers opportunities for geothermal energy. So if we remove some of these fuels from our usage patterns, we have the opportunity to transfer more geothermal, carbon-free energy into those patterns.”

Although Kennedy didn’t name specific energy alternatives, he agreed with Wright and expressed confidence for those working in the basin.

“We all want clean water,” Kennedy said. “We all want clean air. None of us want our environment ruined and I agree with Glenn. He’s absolutely right…The people of Utah know how to do that for the good of the whole country if we can harness that.”

Both candidates expressed similar views on the development of AI and agreed that they believe it is an important technological advancement for the future of the country. However, they differed on how much control the government should have over this.

“I worry that the federal government is getting too involved in these things when they don’t even know what they’re doing with them,” Kennedy said. “So a light hand, but if regulation is necessary, then we will regulate appropriately so that these companies can move forward.”

Wright disagreed, saying the government should exercise “serious control” over the future of AI in the United States.

The areas where Kennedy and Wright clashed most were budgeting, housing and immigration.

“I live on a budget, you live on a budget and I don’t understand why the federal government can’t live on a budget,” Kennedy said.

Immigration reform to address the labor shortage would put more tax money into the economy to keep programs like Social Security sustainable, Wright said.

“The biggest problem with Social Security is that we don’t have enough workers to put people’s tax dollars into the system,” Wright said. “We need to massively increase legal immigration into the country to bring people into the world of work.”

When asked about housing, Kennedy referred to the current situation Litigation on public lands in Utah and called for local governments to be given more authority to build more housing in Utah.

“A major problem in the state of Utah is that nearly 70 percent of our land is restricted and controlled by the federal government,” Kennedy said. “We can’t rely on 70 percent of our land, but if we put in an application … we could actually solve some of these problems.”

Wright countered that housing issues are primarily governmental and criticized laws that favor landlords.

“Our three-day eviction rule is ridiculous,” he said, pointing to his commitment to affordable housing.

Kennedy pointed to his own father’s immigration and said there needs to be improvements to legal immigration.

“So we need to improve legal immigration and at the same time those legal immigrants are building our economy and making our country better. “Welcome to the country, but come here legally,” Kennedy said.

Wright agreed with Kennedy about the need for reform, but said his priority was to create comprehensive immigration reform to help the countries from which migrants immigrate.

“If we don’t address the reasons why people try to come here, we won’t solve the immigration problem,” Wright said. “We need to fix the problem in the countries they come from; we need to help improve their economy and justice systems so they can eliminate some of the crime.”

As the two candidates shook hands at the end of the debate, Wright insulted Kennedy. Wright’s words were picked up by the stage microphones.

In his post-debate media briefing, Kennedy described the interaction as “frankly shocking.”

“We’re supposed to be polite and considerate, and the last comment he made was neither polite nor considerate,” Kennedy said.

During Wright’s own media briefing, he made it clear that he felt Kennedy’s answers did not answer the questions posed and said he had no problem with the comment to Kennedy.

“It showed him what I thought of him,” Wright said. “I don’t think he deserves to be elected to this office. “I think he will be a danger to the country.”

To watch the full debate, visit the Utah Debate Commission upload on YouTube.