Iowa 3rd District Congressional candidates Democrat Staci Appel and Republican David Young discussed raising the federal minimum wage, last night (Thursday) in Council Bluffs. The two debated for the first time on Iowa Public Television’s Iowa Press.
Since both Appel and Young aren’t terribly well known, it was important for each candidate to define themselves during the broadcast, and not let the other control the narrative.
Due to his experience as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Young said he would be a good steward of public tax dollars. In contract, he depicted Appel as financially irresponsible during her time as a state senator.
“She voted against the state government accountability office, and voted for the largest budget in Iowa’s history. And that doesn’t fair well to Iowans. Iowans hate debt. I want to take care of debt in Washington, D.C.”
Appel said creating a state government accountability office would have increased the size of Iowa’s government. She struck a bipartisan tone by adding that then state auditor, Republican David Vaudt, was doing a good job managing the state’s budget.
“My record is about creating preschool for every 4-year-old in the state of Iowa. Reorganizing state government and saving millions of dollars. Creating equal pay for equal work, and the state-wide smoking ban. Those are big pieces of legislation.”
A poll released by Loras College, Wednesday, showed Appel leading Young by 6-points. The poll has a 5.6-percent margin of error.
The two are seeking retiring Republican Tom Latham’s seat that covers much of southwest Iowa, including Council Bluffs and Des Moines.
Appel and Young have agreed to one other debate, on October 6th.
