Debate livens up 2nd District race between Rep. Chris Stewart, Charlene Albarran

Debate livens up 2nd District race between Rep. Chris Stewart, Charlene Albarran

(Albarran campaign, Stewart campaign)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Sparks flew in a spirited debate Tuesday between candidates in the otherwise quiet race in Utah's 2nd Congressional District.

Democratic challenger Charlene Albarran poked at Rep. Chris Stewart's record in Congress, calling him part of the problem, not the solution. The two-term Republican questioned her understanding of the district because she moved into it after filing for office, asking at one point: "Are you one of us?"

They even argued over whether any piece of Park City, where Albarran maintains a home, lies within in the district. A map of the district shows no part of the city in the boundaries.

"I think it's kind of humorous that Park City is haunting him," Albarran said.

Albarran said she used to live in Park City but now lives in downtown Salt Lake City "six days a week." She clarified after the debate that she travels on Sunday, her day off. She correctly pointed out that U.S. House members are not required to live in the areas they represent, but continued to insist one street in Park City is part of the district.

Stewart and Albarran sparred over a number of issues during the hourlong debate put on by the Utah Debate Commission at the University of Utah.

A debate commission poll last month showed Stewart with a nearly 29-point lead over Albarran, 49 percent to 20.4 percent. Constitution Party candidate Paul McCollaum Jr. had 4.6 percent, not enough to meet the commission's debate threshold. The survey also found 26 percent undecided.

Responding to a question about what Congress can do to improve race relations, Stewart said, "I suppose there's a few things," but it has to come from individuals, not Washington.

Albarran said Congress can absolutely fix the problem by listening to the African-American, Latino and Pacific Islander communities. "And that's what Congress can do if we get the right people in Congress," she said.

"If you think Congress can fix this, let me ask you, why hasn't it?" Stewart said. "We elected our first African-American president, but he hasn't fixed it."

Albarran called Stewart's response "quite classic" because he is a member of Congress.

"He's part of the action. That's exactly my point. Congress is not working," she said.

The candidates disagree over whether President Barack Obama should designate Bears Ears in southeastern Utah a national monument.

Albarran said it's not a Utah issue but a national or even world issue. Bears Ears, she said, is the most important unprotected land in the United States. She said she supports a national monument to protect ancient artifacts and sacred burial grounds.

It's "nuts" to say it's not a Utah issue, Stewart said. He said he favors GOP Rep. Rob Bishop's Public Lands Initiative, not a monument designation by a president "who's maybe visited Utah three times in his life."

On balancing religious liberty and LGBT rights, Albarran said the Constitution answers that question with its guarantee of freedom of religion. She said that doesn't mean "pushing" you religion on other people.

But the LGBT community has been discriminated against for far too long, and "I stand up and represent their rights," she said.

Stewart said he has some "people dear to me who are gay" and that life is hard for them. He said he doesn't want to make life harder for them but wants to help them if he can.

He said there's a conflict between religious freedom and prejudice or equality, and it's going to take time to work through it.

* * *

2nd Congressional District

Chris Stewart

Birthplace: Logan

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Utah State University, economics degree

Political experience: Two-term congressman

Occupation: Retired Air Force pilot, author, energy consulting

Family: Married, six children

Quote: "… Conservative principles (are) the only thing that can save the American dream. Conservative leadership is the only thing that can save us from a world of disorder."

* * *

Charlene Albarran

Birthplace: Pocatello, Idaho

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Boise State University, math and statistics degree

Political experience: None

Occupation: Founded aviation rental company, homeless foundation

Family: Married, two children

Quote: "I will work on a bipartisan cooperation level … to work with both Democrats and Republicans because sometimes they work so far apart that they forget that they're working for the common good of the people." ![](https://beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif?cid=446685&pid=4)

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