U.S. House candidates debate Obamacare, student debt

In front of a crowd of 50 residents, three congressional candidates squared off over the economy, the Affordable Care Act and student debt.

Incumbent Republican Congressman Ted Yoho, Democrat Ken McGurn and independent candidate Tom Wells are all candidates campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Yoho, a self-proclaimed Christian, conservative and family man, told the audience he wanted to earn their trust.

“I’m asking you to trust me and send me back for the next term, and if you don’t like what I do, throw me out,” he said.

McGurn, a Vietnam War veteran and a Gainesville businessman, said he wanted to run to support other veterans.

“I got into this race because I saw my fellow veterans needed help,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wells, a local theoretical physicist, said he would like to combat global warming and create a socialized health care system.

“The first thing I would hope to do would be to improve the environment in Congress to the point we can address those problems,” he said.

During the debate, McGurn accused Yoho of supporting the “birther” movement against President Barack Obama.

Yoho later said McGurn has never held a position or received an award mentioning veterans.

“I think that record speaks for itself, too,” Yoho said.

When it came to debating Obamacare, Yoho said it should be replaced with a “common-sense” policy.

“It’s patient-centered health care,” he said, adding that, like Obamacare, it would cover preexisting conditions and keep people on their parents’ health plans

until they’re 26.

Ideally, 26-year-olds wouldn’t need to be on their parents’ health insurance, he said.

“Why do I want my children on my health plan until the age of 26?” he said. “I would think you get a good education, you get a good job.”

Wells disagreed.

“Health care is a human right,” Wells said.

McGurn said Obamacare isn’t perfect and that it can be improved.

“The existing Congress has been unable to do that,” he said. “So the folks in the existing Congress need to be changed so we have another shot at correcting this.”

When asked how students can be financially stable without raising the minimum wage, McGurn said it should be raised and that two years of college should be free.

“Education is the future of this country,” he said.

Wells said current student-loan rates are toxic.

“We are not trying to create a society of indentured servitude,” he said.

Yoho said raising the minimum wage would drive people out of the marketplace and that students should finish college as fast as possible.

“There will be a struggle, and then there will be a reward after that,” he said.

From left: U.S. congressional candidates Democrat Ken McGurn, independent Tom Wells and Republican Ted Yoho debated on Thursday evening at Santa Fe College during the Candidate Forums event, moderated by David Tegeder.