LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- He is seeking his seventh term representing the Louisville area in Congress. She is a political newcomer trying to pull off a huge upset.
On Wednesday, Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth and Republican challenger Vickie Yates Glisson faced off for the first time in a debate sponsored by the non-partisan Louisville Forum.
Yarmuth was elected to Congress in 2006 and, as ranking member of the House Budget Committee, is rising in the ranks of Democratic leadership.
“This is not the time for me to give up this position, willingly,” said Yarmuth.
Glisson was Gov. Matt Bevin's former Secretary for Health and Family Services and is running for office for the first time.
“I want to be an advocate for this community. We've got to have that,” Glisson said.
Yarmuth is one of President Donald Trump's fiercest critics.
“We have an administration in Washington that on a daily basis undermines the very foundations of our democracy,” Yarmuth told the crowd.
Glisson generally tried to stay clear of Trump and Bevin, her former boss.
“I'm not these folks," she said. "I am my own individual. I'm an independent voice."
Glisson launched Bevin’s effort to implement changes to Kentucky’s Medicaid program, and said Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act threatens to break state budgets.
“What the Affordable Care Act did is that it set up a horrible situation for the states,” she said.
Yarmuth was one of the architects of the ACA, and said government can and should do more to provide health care.
“I'm convinced that Medicare for all is the right way to go,” Yarmuth said, adding that he would phase-in the expansion.
There was also sharp disagreement on the tax cuts passed by the GOP congress.
Glisson said the tax cuts put money back in the pockets of Americans.
“We are seeing the best economic growth we've seen in over 50 years,” Glisson said.
Yarmuth said the cuts most benefited large corporations, and have contributed to the deficit.
“Most Republican candidates have decided not to talk about the tax cuts because the American people know they were scammed,” he said.
There is no debate that Glisson is the most serious opponent Yarmuth has faced in years.
According to campaign finance web site Open Secrets, Glisson has raised almost as much money as the incumbent.
As of Sept. 30, Yarmuth reported raising $715,833 with $535,971 on hand. Glisson reported a war chest of $675,823, with $408,418 in the bank.
Glisson has also been running TV ads for several weeks.
Both candidates agreed, 3rd District voters have a clear choice.
“I do think there are some big issues that we are very much, sort of, point and counterpoint on,” Glisson said
“I think on most issues, as you heard, we have some serious disagreements,” Yarmuth added. “This is not surprising.”
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