Debate: CD5 Dems all say they can beat GOP in race for Biggs' seat

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

SCOTTSDALE — Three Democratic Congressional hopefuls all said they’re the best candidate to take a swing at turning the tide in one Southeast Valley district.

Brian Hualde, Chris James and Elizabeth Lee made their cases June 3 in Arizona Clean Elections’ Congressional District 5 Democratic primary debate as to why they should be the ones to try to flip a House district that’s gone to Republicans for the past 15 years.

And at times, it hasn’t even been close.

The three Democrats mostly agreed on some major issues and what needs to be done by Congress to fix them, mainly in standing up to corporations and reversing cuts or moves made by Republican presidents.

But, naturally, they all said they’re the ones who can take advantage of poor polling numbers by Republicans in office, and that each one should be the ones to take on either of the GOP hopefuls, Daniel Keenan or Mark Lamb, for the seat being vacated by Andy Biggs as he runs for governor.

The three candidates’ life and professional experience varies, but their views on major issues all matched each other and the Democratic Party’s larger aims. About the only time during the 1-hour debate where things got heated was when James brought up what he described as a campaign finance reporting delay.

When asked about the changing political landscape around reproductive rights, James answered and mentioned the importance of transparency in IVF treatment costs. Turning toward Lee, he asked “Speaking of transparency, I do have a question for Nurse Lee ..why haven’t you filed your financial disclosures? They were due in October.”

Lee explained briefly, during the debate, that a software error coded many of her expenses as generic, rather than specific types. She said she learned about the error about a week ago and is working with the Federal Elections Commission to straighten out the data.

After the debate, all three candidates took questions from Independent Newsmedia. Lee said she understands why campaign finance — at times, a hot topic all around — has increased scrutiny as major political action committees have gained influence.

“More than ever, people are really concerned where the money in politics is coming from,” Lee said after the debate. “More Americans than ever are seeing the effects of dark money in politics and know the rise of these large groups is why leaders they voted for go to D.C. and then sell out their voters when they get there.”

James, in speaking with Independent Newsmedia after the debate, said he brought up the finance disclosure because that’s the level of trust candidates want voters to have in them.

“What is she trying to hide?” James asked, rhetorically.

James, who worked in the Obama administration with both the Treasury and the Small Business Administration, said he’s most qualified among the three.

“This isn’t a role where you can have on-the-job training,” James said during the debate.

Lee, a career nurse, addressed a number of health care topics during the debate — some of which were answers to direct questions by one of the two moderators. She also said the district would benefit from a woman representing it for the first time.

Lee pointed out that the Democratic candidate needs to “peel off” 10% of Republican voters, if they can get 60% of independents and 90% of Democrats. She said when she knocks doors, she is often invited in, and said this is a year that a Democrat could finally win the CD5 seat.

Hualde said he has knocked on many doors and said as both the only native Arizonan among the three and the only veteran (he was an Army medic, now a nurse practitioner), he can connect with Democratic faithful and many other types of voters.

Hualde also included, in his closing statement, the promise “I won’t lie.” When asked afterward to elaborate on the need to make that promise, he said distrust of government is at an all-time high.

“Too many times, constituents have the idea that politicians aren’t telling them the whole truth,” Hualde said. “I will always be honest with constituents. “Making voters aware that I’m always going to be there to honestly answer their questions is important.”

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.