On September 7th, 2022, New England College hosted the Republican Senate candidates as part of the Live Free or Die debate series. Bruce Fenton, Chuck Morse, Vikram Mansharamani, Kevin Smith, and Don Bolduc are seeking votes for the Primary Election on September 13th.
The candidates spoke on several topics including the handling of COVID-19, abortion, and student debt issues. Lily Geber, Editor-in-Chief of the NewEnglander, was on the media panel asking questions.
When asked about the handling of COVID-19, all candidates said it was done terribly.
“There were more hearings on alien abductions than COVID,” said Kevin Smith.
All the candidates agreed that the federal government needs to hold the CDC and Dr. Fauci accountable.
“It has flattened the middle class,” Vikram Mansharamani said of COVID-related restrictions. To recover from the inflation caused by COVID-19 he said it’s a matter of financial control.
“We need to stop spending,” Mansharamani said.
Geber then asked the candidates how they felt about student debt and President Joe Biden’s relief plan. All candidates believe that President Biden announced the forgiveness to gain votes for the upcoming election.
“The relief plan is causing taxpayers to pay others debts,” Bolduc said.
All five candidates want to lower taxes said loan forgiveness will lead to increases for taxpayers.
The question of abortion was brought up to all the candidates. All said they are pro-life and agreed with the recent Supreme Court decision to overrule Roe v. Wade.
“States should be making the decisions, not the federal government,” Morse said. Morse emphasized that he believes taxpayers should not be forced to pay for abortions.
Bruce Fenton is firm believer that the federal government should not be involved in the issue and have “no right to make new abortion rules.”
Click here to read The NewEnglander coverage of the 2nd Congressional District Debate.
To watch recordings of the debates, click here!
