Climate change and Minnesota healthcare were some of the topics that state House candidate and St. Thomas junior Riley Horan discussed Wednesday, Oct. 5 in his first public discussion with his opponent, incumbent Rep. Erin Murphy.
Both candidates for state House District 64A spoke about local issues at the Legislative Candidate Forum hosted by the St. Paul chapter of the League of Women Voters at the Highland Park Community Center.
Also at the forum were state Senate candidates Ian Baird and Dick Cohen and state House District 64B candidates Emory Dively and Dave Pinto.
In his opening statement, Horan solidified his values: faith, family and freedom.
“I believe that our freedoms are not handed to us by any state legislature,” Horan said, “but rather our freedoms are granted to us by God and our constitution, and that is something that — if I’m elected — I will work every day to preserve.”
St. Thomas students including junior Tess Kovala made up a large portion of the audience.
“It was very cool to see so many other college students supporting Riley and showing their interest in their community,” Kovala said. “I definitely thought Riley represented us well and was extremely proud to call him a fellow Tommie and friend.”
Unlike debates, the forum was structured around questions from the audience, which each candidate was asked to answer in two minutes. Topics were as localized as Twin Cities gridlock and as vast as health care.
Murphy emphasized health care as a primary concern throughout the forum from her opening statement, when she explained her personal struggle with medical bills while taking care of her mother.
“I learned just like many other Minnesota families learned,” Murphy said, “that even if you have good coverage, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get the treatment you need for yourself or for your loved ones. That was a transformative experience for me.”
Horan suggested reform in the state’s healthcare system could be beneficial for everyone.
“I think all Minnesotans should have access to a quality and affordable health care,” Horan said, “and I think part of the problem is our health care system is so complicated. I think the first step is just simplifying the health care system in Minnesota.”
He also questioned the logic of lines dividing Americans from purchasing out-of-state healthcare.
“I think we need to get rid of the state lines that exist,” Horan suggested. “Why can’t a citizen in Minnesota purchase healthcare in Iowa? It allows for a healthier marketplace and it will drive down costs for Minnesotans.”
A question about climate change highlighted the divide between Horan and Murphy’s ideologies.
“We can encourage people to invest in cleaner forms of energy, to drive hybrid cars, to drive electric cars,” Horan said about Minnesota legislature’s’ role in environmental policy. “But the solutions of the DFL will only overregulate small businesses. It will only make it harder for people to get hired.”
“Consequences of ignoring climate change are significant for people across the globe and the data is clear about that,” Murphy responded. “People could lose their homes and their lives if we don’t act.”
In his closing statement, Horan mentioned Murphy’s plan to run for governor in 2018, which she made public earlier this year, and how it could affect the district.
“That concerns me and I think it should concern members of 64A because I worry that … the voices in our district won’t be heard. I want to be a new set of eyes for state legislature. This state needs a fresh, bold perspective.”
Horan and Murphy have agreed to meet up again before Election Day for a one-on-one debate. The date and location have not yet been determined.
Lauren Andrego can be reached at lauren.andrego@stthomas.edu.