Democratic Rep. Katie Porter and Republican former state Assemblyman Scott Baugh are competing in an Orange County congressional district.
Democratic Rep. Katie Porter and Republican former Assemblyman Scott Baugh are vying to represent the 47th Congressional District , a coastal swath of Orange County that extends from Laguna Beach to Seal Beach and inland to Costa Mesa and Irvine.
The race is one of 11 key California contests in the Nov. 8 midterm election that could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
Porter was part of the blue wave in the region’s congressional contests in the 2018 midterms. Baugh is a veteran of Orange County’s Republican establishment. Both oppose oil drilling off the California coast and support expanding state and local tax deductions on federal returns. However, they differ on key issues such as abortion access, gun laws and how to tackle inflation.
Porter’s answers are drawn from a questionnaire sent to candidates in competitive California congressional races, as well as her voting record. Her responses have been lightly edited for length. Baugh did not respond, so information about his views was collected from his campaign website, voting record and news coverage of the race.
Why should voters choose you?
Porter
Baugh
What about your experiences makes you most qualified?
Porter
Baugh
What would be your top legislative priorities?
Porter
Baugh
“We’ve had a lot of irresponsible spending, and so one of the issues that I want to address is balancing our budget and living within our means. Somehow we’ve forgotten that it does matter, and eventually it will come back to haunt you if you don’t live within your means,” he said during a candidates forum in Newport Beach in October.
On what committees would you seek to serve in the 2023-24 Congress?
Porter
Baugh
On access to abortion:
Porter
Baugh
“Others may disagree as to precisely when life begins, but there should be no disagreement as to whether it is OK to abort children who have reached the point of viability. We need to promote a culture of life in America — not a culture of termination,” he told the newspaper.
Should former President Trump face charges for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election?
Porter
Baugh NBC News in an interview that the House Jan. 6 committee hearings have been “a bit of a sham show.” He told the outlet that he believes Biden was legitimately elected president.
“He won the Electoral College, and the election was certified. That makes him the president of the United States. Does that mean it was a perfect election? No,” he told the outlet.
What is the federal government’s role in trying to stop mass shootings?
Porter
Baugh told NBC News .
What is your opinion about efforts to overhaul police funding?
Porter
Baugh
“Guess what happens when you don’t enforce the law? People start breaking the law and they break it more and more. We need to tighten that down. We need to enforce our laws,” he said during the forum. “We need to keep our communities safe. We need to keep our police fully funded.”
Would you try to modify the Affordable Care Act, and how would you tackle prescription drug costs?
Porter
Baugh wrote in an opinion piece in the Orange County Register that he supported the American Health Care Act, which sought to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
“The government’s priority should be how best to offer the most choice to patients in every state in our nation, reducing costs and protecting those with pre-existing conditions. Washington politicians, however, have for too long told us that mandating coverage, no matter the cost, is in the best interest of those we care for. They’re wrong,” he wrote.
On immigration:
Porter
“I have twice supported legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children, who have no criminal history, and who are in school or serving in the military…. While many Orange County families feel that migrants should ‘wait in line,’ the problem is that there is no line for them to get into because of failed policies. The federal government must create a lawful and orderly immigration system that respects Congress’ designated immigration priorities for workers, family members, and refugees, rather than forcing local communities to shoulder the burden of that work.”
Baugh
“I believe in a very tall fence, a very secure border and a very wide gate. If we need people coming and going let’s facilitate that, but by God, let’s be sure we know who’s coming and going,” he said during a candidates forum in Newport Beach in October.
What is the federal government’s role in dealing with the homeless crisis?
Porter
Porter added that the government should provide funding to programs to prevent homelessness similar to an existing program in Orange County that helps children as they exit the foster care system.
Baugh
“Scott believes public safety must remain the number one consideration when addressing the problem. He supports increasing care and early intervention for the mentally ill. Certainly the homelessness is not going be solved from Washington, D.C. We need real community-based solutions to this tragic problem,” his campaign website says.
On the 2017 SALT deduction cap that disproportionately affects residents in high-cost states like California:
Porter
Baugh
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