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TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION," A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" WITH A DISCUSSION BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR ARIZONA'S 5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH COVERS SOUTHEASTERN MARICOPA COUNTY AND PARTS OF PINAL COUNTY AND INCLUDES SECTIONS OF MESA, GILBERT, QUEEN CREEK AND CHANDLER.

OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" IS NOT A FORMAL DEBATE, IT'S AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR ONE OF ARIZONA'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

A DISCUSSION WITH ALL SIDES GETTING A FAIR SHAKE AND OUR JOB TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.

TONIGHT'S CANDIDATES, BRIAN HUALDE, A COMBAT VETERAN, AND CHRIS JAMES, BUSINESSMAN AND INVESTOR AND ELIZABETH LEE, NURSE PRACTITIONER AND ADVOCATE.

YOU LIVE IN THE DISTRICT?

>> YES, SIR.

>> DO YOU LIVE IN THE STRICT?

>> I SURE DO.

>> YOU LIVE IN THE DISTRICT?

>> AFFIRMATIVE.

TED: BRIAN, WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AS A DEMOCRAT IN A HEAVILY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT?

>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, OUR DEMOCRACY IS KIND OF FALLING APART.

I SPENT MY LIFE SERVING AND FELT THE CALL TO SERVE AGAIN.

FELT I COULD USE LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE AND JUST THE THINGS I'VE DONE THROUGHOUT MY LIFETIME TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT AND BE SOMEONE THAT TRULY REPRESENTS THEM.

I WANT TO GIVE THEM AN OPTION TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS THEM.

TED: CHRIS, WHY YOU?

>> THIS DISTRICT IS MY HOMETOWN AND FELT IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO LEAD.

WE HAVE NOT HAD GOOD REPRESENTATION IN THIS DISTRICT OVER THE PAST DECADE.

WE HAD REPRESENTATION, IT'S BEEN ONE SIDED, SO I FELT IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO BRING MY EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE.

I'M A RESULTS-DRIVEN GUY, I'VE BEEN LIVING IN THE VALLEY WELL OVER TEN YEARS AND WORKING IN THE VALLEY SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES IN THE VALLEY.

THAT'S WHY I DECIDED TO RUN.

TED: AND ELIZABETH, THIS IS A RACE FOR CONGRESS, BIGTIME STUFF HERE.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE, WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> TED, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I AM A PATIENT ADVOCATE AND A NURSE, BUT SPECIFICALLY A NURSE IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SPACE.

LEGISLATION HAS UPENDED THE PATIENT CARE THAT WE CAN DELIVER IN MY SPACE.

SO ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, I BECAME VERY ACTIVE ADVOCACY ON THE HILL SERVING AS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT TO HELP LEGISLATORS UNDERSTAND THE REAL LIFE IMPACT OF THE DECISIONS THEY WERE MAKING ON MY PATIENTS.

TED: BRIAN, POLITICAL EXPERIENCE HERE, WHAT ARE YOU OFFERING?

>> I OFFER UNIQUE BLEND OF EXPERIENCE IN LIFE AND DEALING WITH THE MOST COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.

I DEAL WITH PATIENTS AT THEIR MOST DIFFICULT TIMES, AND I'VE DEALT IN SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS AREAS IN THE WORLD THROUGHOUT MY EXPERIENCE AS A COMBAT MEDIC.

I HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPRESENT A LOT OF DIVERSE POPULATIONS AS WELL AS COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE ACROSS THE AISLE TO MAKE SURE WE GET WHAT WE NEED.

TED: AND CHRIS, AGAIN -- >> I'VE HAD A GREAT EIGHT YEARS WORKING FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, APPOINTED TO BOTH U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY AND SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, REALLY DEVELOPING PROGRAMS, DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AT THE SBA, I HAD OVER 1500 EMPLOYEES, $350 MILLION BUDGET AND HELPED DRIVE LEGISLATION.

HERE IN THE EAST VALLEY, I'M A CEO OF A NONPROFIT WHERE, I HAVE CONTINUED THAT WORK IN ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EVERY DAY.

TED: ELIZABETH, WANT TO START WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

THE REPUBLICAN FRONT RUNNER THIS DISTRICT IS HAVING ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE LIVES ANYMORE OR WHERE HE IS ANYMORE.

HOW DOES THAT IMPACT WHAT YOU OFFER AND HOW YOU PLAN TO CAMPAIGN AND CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE THE ONE?

>> YEAH, SOMETHING I'VE WORKED VERY HARD ON THE LAST ALMOST YEAR, TED, IS SHOWING PEOPLE WHO THEY WILL GET WHEN THEY CHOOSE ME AS A REPRESENTATIVE.

I'VE SHOWN UP IN EVERY LABOR HALL AND ORGANIZATION SPACE AND CHURCHES AND RALLIES AND PROTESTS TO REALLY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY TIRED OF THE -- QUITE FRANKLY THE POOR BEHAVIOR FROM MEN THAT GETS OVERSHADOWED BY THEIR POWER.

SO A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT ARE SAYING THIS IS A WIDE-OPEN SEAT MORE THAN IT EVER HAS BEEN BEFORE.

TED: IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING REGARDING THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER, THE BAD BEHAVIOR BY MEN?

>> WE SEE ALL KINDS OF THINGS THERE.

IT'S ALL ALLEGED AT THIS POINT, BUT I THINK IT GOES WELL BEYOND BAD BEHAVIOR, BUT IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF BEHAVIOR WE'RE SEEING IN THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH THE EPSTEIN FILES AND THE ELITE EPSTEIN CLASS OF FOLKS WHO THINK MONEY AND POWER ARE WHAT ENTITLE THEM TO BAD BEHAVIOR.

TED: BRIAN, FROM WHAT YOU'RE SEEING OR HAS BEEN REPORTED AND WE'VE SEEN FROM THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND REPORTING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, HAS THAT CHANGED HOW YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ALL THIS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S CHANGED HOW I'M CAMPAIGNING BUT OBVIOUSLY PAINTS A PICTURE FOR HIM.

HE'S RUNNING ON A STRONG RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND, AND JUST NOT OBVIOUSLY REPRESENTING THAT IN THE DISTRICT RIGHT NOW, AND THE THINGS HE'S STANDING FOR DON'T NECESSARILY TROEPT ME WHAT HE'S CLAIMING TO STAND FOR.

AS A CHRISTIAN MAN MYSELF, I HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME VALUES THAT ARE BROADCASTED BY A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST IN THIS COUNTRY LOOKS LIKE, I'M THE CHRISTIAN FEEDING PEOPLE WHO NEED FOOD, HOUSING THOSE WHO NEED HOUSING AND PROVIDING CARE FOR THOSE WHO NEED CARE.

TED: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM HERE?

>> ANOTHER CANDIDATE WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

IF YOU LOOK AT EITHER ONE OF OUR MAGA CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH POLICY.

THEY JUST HAVE THE MAGA TALK POINTS, AND WE NEED A LEADER WHO REPRESENTS EVERYONE IN THE DISTRICT.

WE NEED A LEADER WHO ACTUALLY CAN LEAD, NOT JUST GIVE US TALKING POINTS AND NOT BE FOLLOWERS.

TED: DO YOU EMPHASIZE WHAT SOME OF THE REPORTING HAS FOUND AND WHAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS ARE?

DO YOU EMPHASIZE THAT?

THIS HAS TO CHANGE YOUR CAMPAIGN IN SOME RESPECTS?

>> I DO EMPHASIZE ABOUT THAT HE'S KNEE DEEP IN SCANDAL, FOR SURE.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ALL HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MARK LAMB IS IN SCANDAL, AND IT DEFINITELY SHOULD HURT PEOPLE'S VIEW.

I'D LIKE TO STAY TO POLICY, THOUGH.

I WANT A LEADER WHO ACTUALLY THAT HAS THE RIGHT POLICIES TO HELP FIX OUR ECONOMY, TO HELP LOWER GAS PRICES, TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE WANT IN A LEADER, AND I DON'T FORESEE THAT IN OUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

TED: ELIZABETH, YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

>> YEAH, PLEASE.

IT REALLY HAS CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF MY CAMPAIGN IN TERMS OF THE CONVERSATIONS I'M HAVING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WE WANT OUT OF OUR REPRESENTATIVE?

WE'RE SEEING QUITE CLEARLY, WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, WHO WE'VE BEEN SENDING TO CONGRESS IS REALLY NOT WORKING, AND SO I THINK MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, THIS IS A COOK INDEX R PLUS 9, 10 DISTRICT, WE'RE SEEING DEMS UP 10%.

WE'RE SEEING COMPETITIVENESS, THIS COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME IN TERMS OF GIVING VOTERS A LOOKOUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET IF THEY CHOOSE THIS MAN, A MAN WHO DOESN'T APPEAR TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT AND DOESN'T BELIEVE THE RULES APPLY TO THEM.

WHEN I KNOCK DOORS AND GO TO COMMUNITY EVENTS, PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND SEE CD-5 AS ON THE MAP.

TED: YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

>> IT'S CLEAR THIS ISN'T SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS ARIZONA OR THIS DISTRICT, HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIM IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, LIKE MANY OF US KNOW, HE'S LIVING IN TENNESSEE AND NOT PRESENT HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

HE REFUSES TO COME TO ANY OF THE EVENTS THAT ARE HOSTED AND THAT SHOWS DEDICATION TO THE DISTRICT ISN'T THERE.

HOW IS HE GOING TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT WHEN HE WON'T COME TO THE ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE ELECTION.

TED: HOW DO YOU IMPROVE THE ECONOMY IN GENERAL AND AFFORDABILITY IN PARTICULAR?

>> A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THE ECONOMY AND AFFORDABILITY, AND THAT TOUCHES ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

WE NEED TO WORK ON COMPETITIVE WAGE SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

PEOPLE CAN WORK THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE, HAVE TO WORK 90 HOURS A WEEK TO REACH THE POVERTY LINE IN THIS COUNTRY, THAT'S NOT OKAY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CORPORATIONS THAT ARE MANAGING THE MARKETS ARE NOT HAVING ANTI-COMPETITIVE MERGERS, AND THAT WE HAVE ANTITRUST LAWS THAT ARE BEING ENFORCED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE COMPETITIVE MARKETS AND KEEP PRICES DOWN FOR CONSUMERS.

WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT FROM AN AFFORDABILITY STANDPOINT, WE HAVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS THAT DOESN'T PUT PEOPLE BANKRUPT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE DRUG COSTS ARE AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE, WORKING PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY.

AND MAKE SURE HOUSING ISN'T SUBSCRIPTION HOUSING, LARGE SWATHS OF LAND BROUGHT UP BY CORPORATIONS.

WE'RE AT A POINT WE NEED TO FIX THE BASIC THINGS AND CAN DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS FROM THE AFFORDABILITY STANDPOINT.

TED: CHRIS, WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO, SO MUCH OF ECONOMY IS MARKET DRIVEN AND HOUSING DRIVEN, INVESTORS PLAY A MAJOR PART.

WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO IS AROUND THE TARIFFS.

WE'VE SEEN THE TARIFFS DEVASTATE THIS ECONOMY.

IT WAS PART -- WE ALSO HAVE THE WAR.

WE'VE HAD TWO BIG PIECES OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS THAT HIT REALLY HARD.

WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THE TARIFFS.

WE NEED TO DEFINITELY STOP THESE WARS OF CHOICE.

RIGHT NOW EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE THREE OF US, ARE SEEING OUR GAS PRICES SKYROCKET.

THE COST OF GROCERIES SKYROCKET.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME, AND THEY'RE SEEING THEIR DOLLAR IS NOT AS STRETCH AS IT ONCE WAS A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

ELIMINATING TARIFFS AND ENDING THIS WAR OF CHOICE.

TED: HOW DO YOU, AGAIN, GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION HERE WITH THE GOAL OF AFFORDABILITY AND IMPROVING THE ECONOMY AND MAKING HOUSING AFFORDABLE.

THAT'S ONE THING.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION DOESN'T MAKE THINGS WORSE?

>> THAT'S FAIR, TED.

WE CAN START BY -- I DON'T GENERALLY THINK IT IS A GOOD MENTALITY TO THINK ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE WAY SOMETHING WAS.

THINGS HAVE BEEN VERY BROKEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM, CITIZENS UNITED, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE BROKEN, BUT THERE ARE VERY, VERY BASIC, EASY WAYS THAT CONGRESS CAN ACT TODAY TO PUT MONEY BACK IN AMERICANS' POCKETS.

ONE OF THOSE BEING HR1, REFUSE TO DAAL WHAT HE CALLS IT, THAT DROPPED THE CHILD TAX CREDIT DOWN SO SIGNIFICANTLY THAT NO LONGER DOES THE TAX CREDIT SQUELCH 50% OF CHILD POVERTY.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT JUST RESTORING US BACK TO THE 2021 LEVELS OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND YEAH, I THINK THE OTHER CANDIDATES MAKE A GREAT POINT.

WE ALWAYS HAVE MONEY FOR WAR IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE ALWAYS HAVE MONEY FOR WAR, BUT OUR PRESIDENT HAS STOOD UP AND TOLD US TIME AND TIME AGAIN HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT INFLATION.

WE CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH CARE BECAUSE WE'RE BOMBING OTHER COUNTRIES.

TED: WHAT ABOUT TAXES?

AND AGAIN HR1 WITH THE TAX, IF YOU WOULD ELIMINATE THOSE TAX CUTS, REPUBLICANS SAY THAT IS A DE FACTO TAX HIKE.

FIRST OF ALL, WOULD YOU ELIMINATE WHAT HR1 DID REGARDING TAX CUTS?

SECONDLY, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN IF THE TAXES GO UP?

>> SO TAXES ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE OUR GOVERNMENT CAN FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY.

AND I WOULD REMOVE THE TAX CUTS.

THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION IN REMOVING THE FUNDING FOR CRITICAL SAFETY NET STRUCTURES IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE TAX CUTS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THAT BILL, AND SO IT'S CLEAR TO SEE THAT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIZED THE ULTRAWEALTHY IN THIS COUNTRY OVER THE WORKING CLASS AND THOSE THAT NEEDED THE SAFETY NETS IN PLACE.

TED: REVERSING THE TAX CUTS FROM HR1, YOU WOULD GO FOR THAT?

>> I WOULD.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE TOTAL TAX REFORM, IT'S CLOSING THE LOOPHOLES THAT WE HAVE, AND THIS IS THE -- THE TAX HAS BEEN A BROKEN SYSTEM FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

ADMINISTRATIONS LIKE TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, THE 2017 CUTS THAT TRUMP PUT IN, THEY NOW ARE PERMANENT, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIPS AND WAGES, THOSE ARE TEMPORARY, SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON LARGE CORPORATIONS AND MONEY.

WE NEED TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES AND MAKE A TAX CODE THAT'S FOR EVERYBODY, INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESS.

TED: DO YOU THINK VOTERS, DEMOCRATIC VOTERS BECAUSE WE'RE IN A PRIMARY HERE, BUT TALK ABOUT THE OVERALL VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT.

DO YOU THINK THEY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE TAX CUT THEY JUST GOT BEING REVERSED?

>> I THINK THEY DO.

THEY WANT TO HEAR, IN OUR DISTRICT, OUR PEOPLE CARE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESSIBILITY AND ABLE TO HAVE A LIVING WAGE AND ABOVE WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE OKAY WITH IT BECAUSE WE NEED A FAIR TAX SYSTEM, AND WE'RE APPROACHING THE $39 TRILLION DEFICIT THAT WE'RE IN.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT?

WHAT DO THEY WANT?

DO THEY WANT THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT OF HR1 REVERSEED?

>> THEY WANT MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETS, TED.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD ELECTRICITY AND THEIR GAS.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR LIFE.

AND I SAT DOWN AT KITCHEN TABLES WITH PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND SAID LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION.

HOW MUCH MONEY DID THE TAX CUT SAVE YOU, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT TAX CUT HAS BEEN EATEN UP BY THE RISING COST OF EVERYTHING FROM HOUSING TO GAS TO GROCERIES?

IT MEANS NOTHING.

SO HELPING FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND, A, A TARIFF IS A TAX ON YOU, BUT ALSO B, WHAT DOES THE TAX CUT GET IF YOU WE'RE TAXING YOU IN OTHER WAYS?

>> QUICKLY, BERNIE SANDERS IS AN INDEPENDENT BUT HE'S A SENATOR, BUT DOES CAUCUS WITH DEMOCRATS.

HE'S HAD THE IDEA OF A 5% TAX ON BILLIONAIRES.

WOULD YOU GO FOR THAT?

>> A 2%, A ONE-TIME 2% TAX ON THE TOP 1% WOULD END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN THIS COUNTRY FOR A CENTURY.

SO YES.

TED: YOU LIKE THAT IDEA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE HIDE THEIR WEALTH AND SKIRT OUT OF THEIR TAX RESPONSIBILITIES BY UTILIZING LOANS AND FUNDING, AND USING THE ASSETS THEY HAVE IN STOCKS TO AVOID PAYING TAXES.

I THINK THE ULTRAWEALTHY IN THIS COUNTRY COULD SERVE THE POPULACE BETTER BY GIVING THE TAX MONEY THEY DESERVE.

TED: 2% AND 5% ON BILLIONAIRES, WHAT SAY YOU?

>> TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES, WE CAN DO ALL WE WANT WITH INCREASING BUT HAVE TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES, AND ALSO, I WANT TO SAY THOSE TARIFFS HAVE -- IS EXPECTED TO COST EACH PERSON IN OUR DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE THREE OF US, $2400 THIS YEAR.

SO THE TARIFFS IS ALSO A BIG THING WITH THE ECONOMY.

TED: STICKING WITH YOU, CHRIS, HOW DO YOU MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MEDICARE FOR ALL?

>> SO HEALTH CARE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE.

IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN GO INTO BANKRUPTCY BECAUSE OF HEALTH CARE.

THE THREE OF US, YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT TO FIND A LOT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE THREE OF US ON HEALTH CARE.

WE ALL BELIEVE THAT HEALTH CARE IS AN ESSENTIAL THING.

WHEN WE THINK OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, I DO BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO REINSTATE THE MEDICAID TAX AND DEMYSTIFY MEDICARE, AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WHO JUST PAID $2,000 TO DO A DENTAL BID, AND IT WASN'T COVERED BY MEDICARE.

TED: MEDICARE FOR ALL, GOOD IDEA BY YOU?

>> I THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE GOAL IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK WE NEED TO START SOMEWHERE THERE, RETURN THE SUBSIDIES TO MAKE PREMIUMS AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE AGAIN.

I THINK WE NEED TO, AT LEAST, START WITH PREVENTIVE CARE IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEEK OUT ANY CARE BECAUSE OF THE COST OF HEALTH CARE, AND I THINK IF WE FOCUS ON PREVENTIVENESS AND SUBSIDIZING NECESSARY MEDICATIONS FOR SURVIVAL, WE'LL HAVE A BETTER STEP TOWARDS WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE MEDICARE FOR ALL IN THIS COUNTRY.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, ELIZABETH?

>> AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS TO HEALTH CARE, WE SPENT MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, SPEND 18% OF GDP ON HEALTH CARE AND HAVE THE WORST OUTCOMES ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS, AND 60%+ OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT A MEDICARE FOR ALL OPTION, AND THERE IS A VERY CLEAR PATHWAY PUT FORTH BY THE NATIONAL NURSES UNION, THAT TAKES US, I BELIEVE, IN ABOUT FIVE YEARS, TO A MEDICARE FOR ALL SYSTEM, AND WE KNOW THAT MEDICARE FOR ALL SAVES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY, AND IT IMPROVES PATIENT OUTCOME.

>> WHAT IS THAT PATHWAY?

I'VE HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT IT BEFORE, I CAN'T VISUALIZE THE CLEAR STEPS TO GET THERE IN FIVE YEARS.

MY MIND SEES TEN TO LONGER PLANS, SO JUST NEGOTIATING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT DICTATE COST OF CARE, AND THEN THE PRIVATIZING OF THE LARGER HOSPITALS THAT DICTATE THE PRICE OF CARE, WHAT IS THE FIRST COUPLE STEPS IN THAT PLAN?

>> THE FIRST COUPLE STEPS IS ONE, TO LOWER THE AGE OF WHEN YOU CAN ACCESS MEDICARE, SO I THINK THEY BRING IT DOWN OVER THE FOUR, FIVE YEARS BY A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS, AND OPENS UP INCOME-BASED ACCESS TO MEDICARE SO YOU WILL BE BRINGING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE FOLD, WHICH DOES, IT REQUIRES YOU TO HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE.

THEY'RE MAKING 30% PLUS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROFITS OFF OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

>> HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT HURTLE?

THE CONFLICT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BEING ON BOARD WITH IT?

>> YOU NEED PEOPLE IN CONGRESS WITH A BACK BONE AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LIKE MYSELF OR LIKE YOU HAVE SEEN ENOUGH THINGS IN PATIENT CARE WHERE WE'VE HAD TO STAND UP TO ADMINISTRATORS OR DOCTORS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

THIS IS THE SAME.

TED: OKAY, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, AND I WANT TO GET ON IMMIGRATION.

CHRIS, START WITH YOU, IMMIGRATION IS A CURRENT STRATEGY ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WORKING AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE IN CD-5 SEE AND THINK?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY WANT SAFE BORDERS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MOST OF OUR VOTERS IN CD-5, ALL OF OUR VOTERS IN CD-5, HOW WE'RE GETTING TO SAFE BORDERS IS NOT WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW.

I.C.E.

IS OVERLY FUNDED.

THEY HAVE A BIGGER BUDGET THAN THE MARINE CORPS, AND WE DON'T NEED MASS POLICE WITH MACHINE GUNS GOING INTO CAR WASHES AND ARRESTING 87-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER.

WE HAVE -- I.C.E.

HAS BECOME MILITARIZED AND VERY SCARY WHAT'S HAPPENED.

WE NEED TO REFORM I.C.E., NEED TO REFORM BORDER PATROL, BRING IN SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND CREATE PATHWAYS INSTEAD OF HINDRANCES.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, ELIZABETH?

IS THE CURRENT STRATEGY WORKING, ARRESTS, DEPORTATIONS ARE DOWN.

THEY'RE NOT THE SAME.

DID THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAVE IT RIGHT?

>> I THINK THAT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH IMMIGRATION IN THIS COUNTRY IS A DISGRACE, A MORAL FAILURE.

WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN I.C.E.

DETENTION TODAY WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD THAN GERMANY HAD PEOPLE DURING THE HOLOCAUST.

IT IS ATROCIOUS TO KNOW FIRSTHAND AS SOMEONE WHO'S GONE INSIDE I.C.E.

DETENTION CENTERS, I SERVE AS A PRO BONO ADVOCATE SERVING PEOPLE WITH NEGLECT.

IT IS A STRONG WAR CRIME.

TED: THAT'S A STRONG ANALOGY, DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I AGREE TO IT TO AN EXTENT.

I THINK YOU ARE ALL ON PAR WITH WHAT I'M THINKING.

WE NEED STRONG BORDERS IN ARIZONA.

THERE ARE DRUGS THAT COME ACROSS THE BORDER.

THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING FOR A BETTER LIFE.

WE'RE SEEING MASS INCARCERATION OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY COMMITTING CIVIL INFRACTIONS, NOT CRIMINAL INFRACTIONS IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SO WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING FUNDING ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT THE BORDER TO LIMIT CROSSINGS AND STOP ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR IMMIGRATION COURTS ARE WELL FUNDED SO THE PATHWAYS, THE CLEAR PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE PEOPLE HERE SEEKING ASYLUM ARE ATTAINABLE AND SHOULD MAKE SURE SEASONAL WORKERS HAVE AN EASIER ACCESS TO VISAS SO THEY CAN COME OVER AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR LABOR FORCE AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES BACK HOME, BUT YEAH, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A STRONG BORDER.

THE WAY WE'RE DOING IT NOW IS NOT OKAY.

I.C.E.

SHOULD BE REFORMED AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THAT IN A WAY THAT KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE.

TED: OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT, WE'LL STOP IT -- REAL QUICKLY.

>> IN ARIZONA, 30% OF FARMWORKERS ARE IMMIGRANTS, 20% OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IMMIGRANTS.

NOT EVERYBODY WANTS A PATH TO BE CITIZENS, THEY JUST WANT TO WORK.

I AGREE WITH BRIAN ON BEEFING UP THE EXISTING PROGRAM.

TED: CANDIDATES, GREAT DISCUSSION AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE ALLOWED TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE START WITH BRIAN HUALDE.

>> HI.

WELL RIGHT NOW DISTRICT 5 NEEDS A LEADER ROOTED IN SERVICE, AND I AM A CANDIDATE ROOTED IN SERVICE.

WE NEED SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS THE WORKING CLASS IN THIS DISTRICT.

I STRUGGLE WITH HEALTH CARE ACCESS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

I RAISED DISABLED CHILDREN, I SEE THE STRUGGLES THAT EVERYDAY PEOPLE HAVE TRYING TO MAKE LIFE WORK IN THIS DISTRICT.

THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY, THE STUDENT LOAN CRISIS, THINGS WE TALK ABOUT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY ESCALATING THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW MAKE IT CHALLENGING FOR ANYONE TO PINPOINT ONE SPECIFIC THING THAT'S GOING TO FIX THINGS.

WHAT WE NEED IS A LEADER THAT'S GOING TO STAND UP, BE ACCESSIBLE, HONEST, AND WILLING TO FIGHT FOR YOU, THAT'S WHO I AM, AND ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE IN JULY.

TED: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM CHRIS JAMES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TED.

THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL.

WE, FOR 15 YEARS, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE WANTED TO FLIP THIS SEAT.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

THAT'S JUST REALITY.

THE EAST VALLEY WANTS A LEADER WITH EXPERIENCE.

THE EAST VALLEY WANTS A LEADER THAT ACTUALLY HAS RESULTS AND THAT'S WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

I WAS NOT ONLY APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND BROUGHT RESULTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AS A LEADER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY NOW, I CONTINUE TO BRING RESULTS IN THE COMMUNITIES.

I CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE, AND I EVEN HAVE SUPPORTED BUSINESSES HERE IN THE EAST VALLEY, OVER 400 BUSINESSES, ABOUT $8 MILLION OF ACCESS.

WE NEED A LEADER WITH THAT EXPERIENCE THAT CAN GO TO WASHINGTON AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, CAN GO TO WASHINGTON AND FIGHT FOR EVERYONE AND BE THE BEST WE CAN BE.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW FOR OUR FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT, ELIZABETH LEE.

>> THE WAY I SEE IT IS THIS RACE IS ABOUT WHO IS WILLING TO SHOW UP WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT?

THE THREE OF US AT THIS TABLE HAVE SHOWN GREAT COURAGE IN THAT, SHOWING UP WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT, BUT WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO WILL BUILD A COALITION.

NO ONE OF US CAN GO TO CONGRESS AND ENACT ALL THE LEGISLATION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT HERE TONIGHT.

WE HAVE TO GO WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE DONE THROUGH THE COURSE OF MY CAMPAIGN, AND THIS IS WHY WE'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BY REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, BY MULTIPLE STATE LEGISLATORS AND BY A DOZEN NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FROM EVERYTHING FROM HEALTH CARE TO LABOR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN MY ABILITY TO BUILD COALITION AND SHOW EXACTLY HOW THAT TRANSFERS TO COALITION BUILDING IN D.C.

BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE'LL GET STUFF DONE IN D.C.

IS BY WORKING TOGETHER.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

OUR NEXT "ARIZONA HORIZON" "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" WILL BE NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 18, AS WE HEAR FROM CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR ARIZONA GOVERNOR.

THAT'S THURSDAY, JUNE 18 AT 5:00 P.M.

AND 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

AND ALL EPISODES OF "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" ARE LIVESTREAMED ON YouTube AT AZPBS NOW AND CAN BE VIEWED AS WELL AT AZPBS.ORG.

AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.