Tools

Wright, Menger Face Off in First Congressional Debate

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Sep 28, 2012 at 8:35 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 29, 2012 at 1:40 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- On Friday candidates from one controversial House District race met for their first debate.

Republican Jared Wright squared off against Libertarian Tim Menger, each expressing how they would best serve House District 54.

Wright, coming off his resignation from the Fruita Police Department and his bankruptcy going public, told attendees he doesn't back down in the face of adversity, and he would do the same in office.

Menger talked about his party affiliation being a strength for him. With an even number of Republicans and Democrats in the House predicted after this election, his Libertarian vote could be the deciding one in many cases.

Although both candidates agreed on most of the issues, one they disagreed on involved changes to the Constitution.

"The Constitution, being so widely open to changes by raw democracy, is wrong for Colorado. The number one goal for me is to build bipartisan support for looking at how we make adjustments to our Constitution," explained Wright.

"People should be able to change their Constitution because the Constitution is for the people ... but the people should be also for their Constitution, and you've got to find the median point there," said Menger.

Wright and Menger did have similar stances on taxes; both candidates believe in minimizing taxation as much as possible.

Wright also touched on water and roads, calling them the veins and arteries of the community. He said it is important for the Western Slope to keep its current water rights and not let entities from the Front Range diminish them.

Meanwhile, Wright emphasized the need to keep roads updated, as exported and imported products help the economy grow.

Attendees who questioned Menger's party affiliation by asking how he planned on gaining allies in the House were met with a railroad metaphor.

Menger explained that he would be the railroad spike in the tracks that drives the two-party system to achieve creative solutions that neither party could previously solve.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather