Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican candidate Leah Vukmir squared off Monday in the first debate of Wisconsin’s contentious race for U.S. Senate.
Down in the polls, Leah Vukmir took the opportunity to differentiate herself from Baldwin on a range of issues, including health care, abortion and immigration.
Vukmir attacked her opponent’s endorsement of Medicare for All as a government takeover of health insurance.
“Who are you going to trust to solve our healthcare problems? A career politician who has spent her life in the halls and the walls of government, or a nurse?” Vukmir said. “I would fall in front of a truck before I would let people with pre-existing conditions go without coverage.”
Baldwin defended her stance, accusing Vukmir and Republicans of trying to repeal existing laws protecting individuals with preexisting conditions.
"I do want to get to a place where all Americans have access to affordable, quality coverage," Baldwin said. "We have to figure it out one way or another.”
The debate also turned to the controversial nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Baldwin said Kavanaugh is “in the pocket of corporate special interests,” while Vukmir said that her opponent and “her liberal allies are bitter that Wisconsin elected President Trump, and they’ll do anything to stop this highly qualified nominee."
Though Democrats hope to gain a majority in the House come November, their Senate prospects are much less favorable.
With several red state Democratic incumbents seen as vulnerable to challenges, Baldwin staying on top of her challenger remains paramount.
