FRANKLIN TWP., CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — In an hourlong debate Sunday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and her general election Republican opponent, state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, each cast themselves as a moderate running against a radical, meeting attacks with attacks.
In making her case for a fourth term representing the 7th District, Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, largely leaned on her record in Congress while attacking her opponent as “an extremist on women’s rights… on worker’s rights, on education.”
“I strongly believe that actions speak louder than words. My actions have always been supportive of Carbon County residents.”U.S. Rep. Susan Wild
Mackenzie, while highlighting his record as a Republican representing the state House's 187th District, worked to tie Wild to President Joe Biden’s handling of the economy, immigration and foreign policy, repeatedly referring to “failed policies of Joe Biden and Susan Wild.”
Given the debate’s setting at Blue Ridge Communications' TV studio, Mackenzie was eager to remind voters of a leaked video in which Wild said she was “dismayed” that Carbon County became part of her district because residents “drank the Trump Kool-Aid.”
Wild apologized for her remarks, saying she did not think before she spoke.
“I strongly believe that actions speak louder than words,” Wild said, pointing to her decision to open a campaign office in Lehighton and her work for the area.
“My actions have always been supportive of Carbon County residents.”
Abortion
The two candidates most clearly worked to portray themselves as the center and their opponent as fringe when moderators asked them to respond to the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade.
Wild went on the attack, casting abortion access as an issue of personal freedom and trusting women.
“The problem with abortion being a state issue instead of a federal issue is state legislators like Ryan Mackenzie, who will vote to do away with a woman’s right to make her own decisions about reproductive care."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild
“The problem with abortion being a state issue instead of a federal issue is state legislators like Ryan Mackenzie, who will vote to do away with a woman’s right to make her own decisions about reproductive care,” she said.
Mackenzie responded by saying he has “always voted in the bipartisan majority” on issues of reproductive health.
“I do not support a federal ban on abortion,” he said. “I do support exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.”
Mackenzie’s comments drew the night’s only fact-check: Moderator Ben Stemrich said that Mackenzie voted in favor of SB3, a measure that bans abortion after 20 weeks without exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
Wild is the radical one, Mackenzie said, who supports “taxpayer-funded abortions” and “absolutely no restrictions” on the procedure.
Guns
The candidates agreed on the importance of keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and people intent on harming others.
To achieve that goal, Wild called for laws requiring guns to be stored safely and universal background checks for anyone buying a firearm.
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild “wants to take away people’s guns.”State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie
Though Mackenzie called for doing “everything possible” to stop mass shootings while respecting the Second Amendment, and touted his past support of funding mental health support programs and security measures in schools, he stopped short of endorsing new legislation to address gun violence.
When Wild criticized Mackenzie for voting against House Bill 777, aimed at cracking down on serial-number-free “ghost guns” assembled at home from easily purchased parts, Mackenzie responded that Wild “wants to take away people’s guns.”
Inflation
Mackenzie sought to draw a straight line connecting Wild, Biden and inflation, arguing rising prices stem from earlier spending she supported. He called for addressing inflation by cutting “wasteful spending” and reducing taxes.
“I do my own grocery shopping. I pump my own gas. I’m very aware of prices”U.S. Rep. Susan Wild
When the moderators asked Wild about her plans, she responded first with empathy — “I do my own grocery shopping. I pump my own gas. I’m very aware of prices” — before placing blame squarely at the feet of “corporate gouging.”
Cracking down on this “gouging” will lower inflation, she said.
Both candidates called for eliminating taxes on Social Security; Mackenzie also said he would vote to get rid of taxes on workers' tips.
Foreign policy
Wild forcefully supported further military aid for Ukraine, arguing that if the country falls, Russia then would set its sights on a NATO ally such as Poland, potentially drawing the United States into a world war.
“We need to make sure Ukraine wins this war,” she said.
Mackenzie said the conflict has dragged on for too long as a result of Wild’s and Biden’s foreign policy, and called for “a peaceful resolution.”
"With Susan Wild and Joe Biden in office,” the world is a more chaotic place because “we are not exhibiting strength that would lead us to peace.”State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie
Both candidates supported Israel’s right to self defense, and said that securing the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza should be the first priority.
“Israel absolutely must eradicate Hamas, and I think that the United States is in a good position to help make that happen," Wild said.
"But we cannot forget the hostages. There has to be a means to bring an end to this war.”
Mackenzie argued that, “with Susan Wild and Joe Biden in office,” the world is a more chaotic place because “we are not exhibiting strength that would lead us to peace.”
