Sen. Martha McSally and Mark Kelly addressed issues important to the Latinx community on Thursday evening during the “Conociendo a Los Candidatos” or “Meeting the Candidates” virtual forum broadcast by Univision Arizona.
“It is super important for our community to have resources and information accessible in their language,” said Yara Marin, the political director for Mi Familia Vota. “We decided to bring in both senate candidates so they can talk about issues that are important to the Latino community and translate that into a language our community understands.”
Univision opted for a pre-recorded, virtual town hall to adjust for any technical issues and to provide a clearer Spanish translation for their audience, according to Gerardo Higginson, director of community empowerment for Univision Communications Inc.
“We would never tell our voters who to vote for but we are promoting people to get out to vote,” said Higginson. “We want people to know that they can make a difference, whoever they choose.”
During the 30 minute forum, the senatorial candidates answered questions about COVID-19, immigration, the Affordable Care Act, education and election fraud with intention to address the particular needs and concerns of the Latino population in Arizona.
Latinos make up 24% of eligible voters in Arizona and account for the highest percentage of ethnic minority votes in the state, according to the Pew Research Center.
There are approximately 400,000 people of Hispanic origin living within a five mile radius of downtown Phoenix, making up 62% of the total population in that area, according to a Downtown Phoenix Demographic Detail Report produced by DTPHX.
Both Kelly and McSally have been trying to court the Latino electorate throughout their campaigns by purchasing Spanish-language ads, meeting with Hispanic religious leaders and obtaining endorsements from other Latino community leaders.
Participating in the forum is the latest attempt by the candidates to woo Latino voters.
“Mark Kelly has made it a priority to meet with, listen to and learn from the Latino community across Arizona from the start of his campaign,” a representative from Kelly’s campaign said. “At tonight’s forum, Latino voters in Arizona will see that Mark Kelly not only understands the challenges families and small businesses are facing in this pandemic, he’s ready to fight for them in Washington.”
McSally’s campaign chose not to comment on their participation in the forum.
The virtual forum was pre-recorded on Oct. 13 in English, then broadcast by Univision on Oct. 22 with simultaneous Spanish translation. With Latino votes on the line, here’s how the candidates addressed key issues:
COVID-19
The first question posed by host León Felipe González concerned the COVID-19 pandemic where he asked the candidates how they would help Hispanic communities recover since they have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic both physically and economically.
“When the pandemic started, I acted up,” McSally said.
The senator took credit for helping to pass the CARES Act, getting PPE loans to small businesses, supporting healthcare heroes, and keeping the economy from collapsing.
“I’ve been fighting for you and will continue to fight so we can beat this virus,” she said.
Kelly, on the other hand, criticized the Trump administration’s and McSally’s response to the virus, accusing the senator of taking four vacations after the CARES Act expired.
“This administration knew at the beginning of February that this virus was deadly… and decided not to be honest with the people of the U.S.,” Kelly said “That was a mistake now we’re in a terrible situation.”
Immigration
Candidates were also asked about their opinions on the border wall and whether DACA recipients should have a path to citizenship.
Kelly responded that the border wall was a “17th century solution to a 21st problem.” He blamed Washington D.C. of failing to secure the border and condemned McSally for approving over a mile of new border wall simply because “it was convenient for her” and not because it was a viable solution to border security problems.
He also said that he views DACA recipients as U.S. citizens who “could and should have an easy way to citizenship.” He criticized McSally for calling DACA unconstitutional.
McSally said she is “leading to help solve (immigration) problems and help the immigration system.”
“My heart is with DACA recipients,” the senator said. “I’ve been a leader in solutions for them but we also need border security. We don’t need cartels.”
Additionally, McSally used her allotted time to bring up past derogatory remarks that Kelly made about Latino’s in 2018.
“Mark Kelly needs to apologize,” she said. “It’s an honor to represent the Hispanic community.”
Kelly later addressed these remarks saying, “I regret and apologize for that. It doesn’t reflect my values. I will be the first to fight for latino community everyday.”
The Affordable Care Act
“The Affordable Care Act is failing so many Hispanic Americans,” McSally said after being asked whether she thought the Obamacare plan should continue.
McSally said she is leading the charge to reduce healthcare costs, make healthcare more accessible, and make healthcare accessible to those with pre-existing conditions.
Kelly said he supported the healthcare act as it “is an incredible protection for Arizonans with preexisting conditions.”
“McSally has voted four times to delete this protection against pre-existing conditions,” he said.
Kelly also said that supporting those with pre-existing conditions was especially important during the pandemic.
“Now with COVID as a pre-existing condition that can be deadly, we can’t take this protection away,” he said.
Education
Currently, Arizona ranks 45th in average teacher salary and 48th in per-pupil spending, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau respectively.
“We have to do better than this,” Kelly said. “Every kid in our school system, no matter what race or zip code, should get quality public education.”
Kelly, if elected, plans to “duplicate Title I funds and designate them to schools that need help and make them successful.”
Meanwhile, he said his opponent doesn’t believe the federal government should be involved in fixing the education system. McSally said she is fighting for funds for education that her opponent would block if he is elected.
“I am passionate for education,” McSally said in response. “I know education is key for kids’ future and I fight for that.”
Election Fraud
When asked if they thought there was fraud in the upcoming election and whether the electoral system was secure, both candidates said they had faith in Arizona’s voting system.
“We need everyone to fill out a ballot and go vote,” McSally said, adding that those planning on mailing in their ballots should make sure to track them. Kelly also agreed.
Both candidates pointed to their military service to encourage people to vote. McSally served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and Kelly in the Navy.
Contact the reporter at eccarman@asu.edu.
