Two Democratic candidates hoping to unseat incumbent 7th District Republican Congressman Sean Duffy talked issues during a forum Saturday in Rhinelander.
The Northwoods Chapter of Our Wisconsin Revolution hosted attorney Margaret Engebretson of Balsam Lake and Dr. Brian Ewert of Marshfield.
Both candidates say they are hearing about healthcare at the top of public concerns. Margaret Engebretson
"...what I think is best is Medicare-for-all public health insurance. That seems to be where people are headed on that. A lot of people are very for it because people are tired of having to worry whether they will have insurance...."
Ewert also says he's hearing about healthcare as he campaigns...
"...Clearly healthcare is always top of mind issue for people because of the need so when people have a medical crisis they don't have a financial crisis and instead of looking to destroy what we have we need to look to strengthen what we have...."
Both candidates were asked if Congressman Duffy had been at the event what they would say to him. Margaret Engebretson says, from her view, Duffy has not helped the district...
"....There's a lot going on at the national level and world affairs. Everyone knows if you turn on the television or open up the newspaper, these are major events going on. Representative Duffy seems to be absentee in many regards..."
Ewert criticized Duffy's response to tariffs...
"...I would like to ask Congressman Duffy why he has not taken the lead in protecting businesses in northern Wisconsin from the reckless decisions made about tariffs and trade. The hard working people of northern Wisconsin have spent years developing relationships across the world and those relationships are being destroyed in a matter of weeks..."
The winner of the August 14 Democratic primary will face Duffy in November.
