Democrats Brad Ashford and Kara Eastman are making their final pitch to voters before the Tuesday primary.
Ashford, a former congressman, wants to retake his old seat. Eastman, a nonprofit executive, hopes to make the jump from Metropolitan Community College board member to become the first woman to hold the 2nd District seat.
Here are five key differences between the two:
Health care: The candidates agree that affordable health care should be accessible to everyone. Eastman believes a “Medicare for all” system is the best way to accomplish that. Ashford wants to work within the current system with strategies such as allowing people to buy into Medicare.
Taxes: The candidates agree that the recent Republican tax overhaul was overly tilted to the wealthy, but Eastman wants to repeal the law and go in the other direction while Ashford would want it to be rolled back. For example, the bill cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Eastman wants to see it at least returned to 35 percent, while Ashford would set the corporate rate at about 26 percent.
Trade: Ashford has been an enthusiastic proponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while Eastman said she has concerns about the proposal and was not disappointed to see President Donald Trump reject it.
Keystone pipeline: Ashford supported the pipeline as a congressman but now says he opposes it. Eastman says she has always opposed it.
Style: Eastman argues that the 2nd District needs a candidate who will fight for its people. Ashford says promoting compromise and building relationships across the aisle is the best way to get legislation passed.
