In the fight for the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Brad Ashford (D) and retired Air Force General Don Bacon (R) have political differences.
In a debate hosted by KMTV and the Omaha World-Herald, the candidates discussed topics ranging from national security, immigration, to racial inequality.
They started the debate with ISIS.
Citing his military experience, Bacon says he has years of experience fighting ISIS and says the U.S. needs to undermine ISIS’ strategies.
"We have to have a holistic strategy to defeat these folks, we have to go after their finances, and we have to degrade their cyber recruiting that they do over the internet."
Ashford says the nation needs to strengthen the work and the budget of our military.
"We need to make sure we do not cut the budget for the military anymore and that we add to it - we've done that. We need to have a robust funding, stable funding, and an authorization use of force."
When they moved to immigration, both candidates agreed there needs to be more border security.
"We need more border security people, more technology on the border, we don't need a wall, but we need a pathway to citizenship with clear rules."
Bacon said he opposes citizenship for those who have come to the U.S. illegally, but is open to a pathway for legalized status for those who enter the country legally.
"I would have a more moderate approach on how to handle the twelve million people that come here illegally. I don't think a one size fits all works."
When asked about Black Lives Matter and community policing - both agreed congress should address the movement and work towards a better relationship between law enforcement and the community at the local level.
The next debate will be Friday at noon at the Omaha Press Club.
