The four candidates running for the Democratic nomination in Southwest Michigan’s 6th Congressional district discussed health care, education, guns, military spending, and whether those that don’t win will support the nominee in November.
The candidate forum sponsored by WMUK and Western Michigan University’s Institute of Government and Politics was held Thursday July 12th at the Fetzer Center on the Western Michigan University campus. George Franklin, David Benac, Rich Eichholz and Matt Longjohn are seeking their party’s nomination for the chance to challenge longtime Republican Congressman Fred Upton in November.
WMUK’s Gordon Evans moderated the forum, he selected questions submitted by the audience. They touched on a wide range of issues such as climate change, net neutrality, drug laws and whether the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be eliminated.
The final question asked if the candidates that don’t win will support the nominee in the general election. Rich Eichholz joked that he hopes so, because he will need support in the fall. Matt Longjohn and David Benac expressed some reservations about supporting George Franklin. Both said they would vote for Franklin in the general election, but they raised questions about past campaign contributions to Republican candidates and his background as a lobbyist. Franklin said he would defend his record, ethics and values.
