Congressional Candidates Spar For Final Time Before Election Day

For the final time before election day, congressional candidates Christina Finello and incumbent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick came together to discuss their views.

Finello, a Democrat from Ivyland Borough, and Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Middletown Township, gathered at the Doylestown Township Administration Building Monday morning for the forum sponsored by the chambers of commerce from across Bucks County and the League of Women Voters of Bucks County.

Due to the pandemic, the public was not invited to the forum, but it aired on cable, online, and on social media thanks to the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

The event followed the debate last week in Bristol Township.

The congressman started his opening statement by touting his work on the Problem Solvers Caucus and said the real problem is centrism vs. extremism. He told the public that both Democrats and Republicans have opposed positions he’s supported and that shows to the First Congressional District that he is about calling balls and strikes.

“There is not a single member of the House with a more independent voting record than I do,” he said.

Finello opened by stating she knows the struggles of First Congressional District residents and will fight for them. She connected Fitzpatrick to President Donald Trump and listed some legislation the president and congressman both agreed with.

“We need a change, and that change is me, Christina Finello,” she said.

The first question asked by the moderators – one representing the chambers of commerce and one representing the League of Women Voters – was about how they would support small businesses amid the impacts of the coronavirus.

Finello said that during COVID-19, she thinks of her small business owner grandfather and all the work that he put in. She said business owners are looking at a “payless payday.” She further explained that business owners ask her when out and about when there will be a COVID-19 response. The candidate suggested direct relief to businesses and extended unemployment assistance. She added that Trump and Fitzpatrick have downplayed virus.

“It’s important to get the virus under control,” she said.

The congressman touted the relief offered by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and called for renewing it. He said the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus has framework to do it. He pointed to proposals that he supports that would assist restaurants and health clubs. Fitzpatrick explained that he’s worked with Democrats on pieces of legislation to help those businesses. He further stated America needs global relief and also specific industry relief.

The candidates were asked where they stand on tax policy in the context of the plans released by Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Finello said it is “no secret” how she feels about the GOP tax bill voted for by Fitzpatrick. She said the bill left middle-class families behind and she knows that she needs to support a tax policy that helps families move into or stay in the middle class.

Fitzpatrick said he did vote for the GOP tax plan and explained the tax code needed to be updated. He pointed to countries with lower tax rate and said the tax bill brought growth, including by lowering the corporate tax rate for small and large businesses.

“Some people seem to forget that,” he said.

Fitzpatrick said “jacking” taxes back up would be “crushing” to small businesses.

Finello said if regular people don’t have extra money, they can’t support those businesses.

The candidates were asked their position on the For the People Act of 2019 and provisions for redistricting and campaign finance reform.

Fitzpatrick said that some provisions in the bill were part of legislation he worked on. He said he didn’t vote for the bill because it was “very partisan.” The congressman said he’s trying to get money out of system and the public funding for candidates avenue could be a major problem. He said he would like to take issues out of bill one-by-one and vote on each provision.

Finello said she’s endorsed by End Citizens’ United and she doesn’t take corporate political action committee (PAC) money. She said that is important to her and she’s trying to run a campaign built on grassroots support. She further stated dark money in politics takes some voice away from people, pointing to corporate PAC money given to Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick called Finello’s statement about not accepting corporate PAC money a “lie,” citing she accepts money from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which receives funds from corporate PACs.

Finello said she does not accept corporate PAC money. She shook her head no and called it “rich” that Fitzpatrick was lecturing her on taking money while he gets corporate PAC funds.

The next question asked the candidates what they would compromise on while office.

Finello responded that she has no problem working with people across party lines to get things done. She explained that she is the lone Democrat on the GOP-led Ivyland Borough Council and that she worked as deputy human services director under a Republican administration at the county. She said everyone came together to work on what is important. She further stated that she won’t compromise on things important to voters, but she will work with all sides to make progress. She added that she will protect people with preexisting conditions and affordable health care.

Fitzpatrick said he supported the Break the Gridlock package from Problem Solvers Caucus. He also said that House of Representatives speaker and minority leader – regardless of party – have too much power. He said all sides should be working together for Americans.

The next question was about health care.

The congressman noted that he supports the Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA and Obamacare. He admitted that the ACA is not perfect, but he supports improving it. He said he has voted against getting rid of it and supported lawsuits with Democrats to protect it.

Finello said Fitzpatrick took a vote to gut ACA and that is being used by Trump administration in court to end most of the law. She said ending ACA would take away protections for people with preexisting conditions, like her daughter. She added that health care is a right for everyone.

Fitzpatrick said he voted to end individual mandate portion of the ACA that was broken, but he explained he supported the ACA. He stated that people should look at his ACA votes and his support for it.

“That’s her one thing that she keeps hearkening back to,” he said.

Finello maintained her viewpoint that Fitzpatrick’s support of ending the individual mandate was helping gut the ACA.

“You cannot light the match that is going to set the ACA on fire and then expect us to give you an award for not continuing to douse gasoline on that,” she said.

The candidates were asked what action they would take to help the next generation become gainfully employed.

Finello said it is “incredible important” to have an affordable higher education system for everyone. She pointed to student debt and other problems. She also said geen sector jobs would create opportunities and require investment.

Fitzpatrick pointed to trade jobs that offer high salaries and help workers avoid large college debt. He said that every student in college should know where their tuition is going and colleges should be more transparent about spending.

The next question was on systemic racism and other problems in law enforcement. The candidates were asked what is needed on the federal level.

Fitzpatrick, a former FBI special agent, said he “loves law enforcement” and “is one of them.” He also stated he supported the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The congressman said he supports making changes and said problems have been systemic for decades. He stated cutting police funding by large amounts is dangerous.

“We need reform, yes. Do we need defunding? No,” he said.

“I oppose defunding the police,” Finello said, hitting back at Republican attacks on her.

Finnelo said she supports police officers and departments need the resources to keep the officers and the community safe. She said funding is also needed for mental health and social service.

Finello said she supports law enforcement and also mental health services. While Fitzpatrick has endorsement from local police groups, Finello noted that both the sheriff of Bucks County and Montgomery County, both elected Democrats, have endorsed her.

The candidates were asked about their thoughts on mail-in voting.

Finello said a “very important election is coming up” and mail-in ballots are safe. She said that people shouldn’t have to choose between their health and voting.

Breaking with comments from the president on mail-in voting, Fitzpatrick said mail-in voting is safe and reliable. He stated he thinks election officials are doing a good job within the county. He said problems can come up in places where universal balloting happens. He said the public needs to have confidence in the system. The congressman noted that there was mail-in voting in parts of the country in 2016 and he doesn’t hear much complaining about that year’s election outcome.

Finello encouraged people to request a mail-in ballot if they want to. She said county website has a lot of information on getting one and submitting it properly.

The next question asked candidates about how groups like Planned Parenthood would be funded for routine services.

Fitzpatrick said that he supports the ACA and protections included in it that allowed funding for groups that provide medical services to women.

Finello said Fitzpatrick would put a woman’s choice in politicians’ hands. She told the story of her daughter who may have been born very ill and tough decisions were needed. She said it was a tough choice and one the family made, not government. She said her daughter was born fine but with a birth defect. She noted it was a trying time for her family. She said Planned Parenthood offers important services for woman, including education.

The final question was about immigration.

Finello called for a “common sense approach” to border security and immigration, citing the way migrants are being treated by government officials. She called for increased border screening and aid and a dose of humanity. She said kids shouldn’t be ripped away from those who cross borders and conditions should be better. The candidate said you can balance border security and humanity while offering a “path to citizenship.”

Fitzpatrick said partisanship prevents solutions to the problem. He called for a “pathway of citizenship” for Dreamers. He said a physical border wall is not needed for entire border, but new technology can support the mission to protect the border. He said “hyper-partisans” are preventing a solution from advancing, citing past Problem Solver Caucus proposals.

Finello said the congressman didn’t mention the horrible humanitarian situation at the border. She noted Fitzpatrick’s campaign has received money from the Geo Group, a investment trust that runs private prisons and mental health facilities, including ones for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The congressman hit back and said he has supported humanitarian aid for migrants.

The forum ended with closing statements from the candidates.

Finello said Fitzpatrick has a record of “siding with Trump” and helping the wealthiest and big companies. She added that his votes have helped gut the ACA and he doesn’t put women’s health issues first. She said she’s a member of community and will represent the district.

Fitzpatrick said he is the most independent congressman in the nation and not a single member of House is more independent than he is. He hit Finello on calling Pelosi a mentor and her endorsement from Elizabeth Warren. He pointed to his wide array of endorsements.

“I think you know the reason why,” she said of why groups endorsed him.

The congressman finished by stating he is for a more moderate agenda.

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