KIRO 7 hosted a debate Thursday between U.S. Senate candidates – incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican challenger Dr. Raul Garcia, an emergency room physician from Yakima.

Affordable housing

Cantwell: So this crisis in inflation affecting housing is because we haven't built up enough supply. We must build more affordable housing in the United States of America. A sheriff in Eastern Washington told me he tried to hire a deputy to take the job, but then basically called back and said even in my rural county I can't afford to live there, so I am the leader The United States Senate, together with a Republican colleague, Todd Young of Indiana, wants to increase the capacity of the affordable housing tax credit for low-income earners. This tax credit is equal to 95% of the affordable housing constructed using this tax credit.

Garcia: I want to come up with something that the results show has worked to bring science into politics. VA loans worked because veterans don't have to make a down payment to buy a home. I want the ordinary public to run programs with our lenders so that our ordinary citizens can afford to buy a home with no down payment. You still need to qualify, but in today's economy it is very difficult to make a down payment. The other idea is zero-based regulations. Let's start building more houses with fewer obstacles so we can find a real solution.

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abortion

Cantwell: I think a woman's right to choose is a constitutional right to privacy. I would hope that all Washingtonians would view this as a matter of our freedom. This should be a decision between a woman and her doctor, not a politician or anyone in government. My opponent will definitely vote for a Republican leader and his goal in Washington is to stop Roe vs. Wade. In fact, they are often at the forefront of trying to prevent IVF themselves. So what I want to do is go back to Washington and fight to codify Roe v. Wade into national law.

Garcia: The voters of Washington state have made it very clear that this is a pro-choice state, and as your next U.S. Senator, I will protect and defend that election. I know that Dobb's decision has created great fear and distrust of our government, and I ask every woman in Washington state to trust in who I am and what I stand for. I am the doctor who prescribed contraceptives. I am the doctor who was at a mother's bedside when her daughter was raped by her husband uncle and her wife almost died from an ectopic pregnancy.

Prioritize country over party and protect democracy

Cantwell: I had to do this. I actually saw people storm the Capitol. I saw the discourse that came from people who just watched cable TV every night and just argued instead of trying to solve problems. I promised that I knew our state didn't send me there just to argue. You sent me to do things. And so, after the attack on our capital, we passed one of the most monumental pieces of legislation, the CHIPS and Science Act. Why? It was a very important policy. It was about bringing the supply chain home, not being too dependent on Taiwan, reducing costs and boosting production. There are thousands of chips in cars, computers and airplanes. It was important.

GARCIA: You know, I've said it a few times, and I'm a Dan Evans Republican, and he said, “I'd rather go to the altar than to the people of Washington, and that's what I plan to do.” I want to the United States Senate with difficult decisions, talking about abortion, talking about climate change, talking about the issues that my party hasn't typically had good answers to. Well, I want to bring my scientific mind to politics and be a non-partisan group that is proud to be an American.

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Immigration: Would you support the border bill if it came up in Congress?

Cantwell: We want to increase border security. It was a compromise that I think I voted for four or five different compromises on border security, starting with Larry Craig, a senator from Idaho, and Ted Kennedy, and so it was, once again, a very constructive bipartisan bill that was more Resources that would have been committed to efforts to secure our border have been killed by Republicans who would rather champion the issue than actually solve the problem.

Garcia: The Dreamers came to this country under the age of 18 with no responsibility for breaking the law, and I don't know why we haven't given them citizenship already. The other people who were here and broke the law but lived great lives here are our neighbors. We don't even know they're illegal. We should have a path to legalization, perhaps permanent residency, and for those who break the law: no, you will not come to our country to break the law. I understand that Washington State, our economy, relies on immigrants. That's why I'm a huge supporter of H-2B and H-2A workers and will always support and advocate for immigrants in this country.

Climate change

Cantwell: We have been able to successfully diversify our grid from 52% coal dependence nationally to 19%. I helped with policies that delivered clean energy, wind, solar and biofuels.

Garcia: Our country has the strictest laws to protect our environment. Let's bring manufacturing and industry back to America instead of outsourcing it to countries that don't care.

Get ready to vote! Counties in Washington mail general election ballots