♪.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO AZ VOTES, "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION."

A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" WITH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA'S 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH COVERS PHOENIX, NEW RIVER, SUN CITY WEST, PEORIA AND ANTHEM.

"CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" IS NOT A FORMAL DEBATE.

IT'S AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE AND TAKE FOR CANDIDATES FOR ONE OF ARIZONA'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

INTERJECTIONS AND OCCASIONAL INTERRUPTION ARE ALLOWED PROVIDED BOTH SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

JOINING US IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, RAYMOND KEELER, ARMY VETERAN AND SOFTWARE ENGINEER AND BERNADETTE GREENE-PLACENTIA, A RETIRED OWNER OF SMALL FLEET TRUCKING COMPANY.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: RAY, START WITH YOU, DO YOU LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT?

>> YES, I DO.

TED: IS YOUR HOME ADDRESS HERE?

>> YES, IT IS.

TED: DO YOU LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT, BERNADETTE?

>> NOT ANYMORE.

TED: WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

>> A MILE AND A HALF OF 123.

I'VE LIVED THERE FOR YEARS.

>> SHE CAN'T VOTE IN THE DISTRICT.

TED: THANK YOU.

LET'S START WITH YOU, THEN, AS FAR AS WHAT DEMOCRATS WANT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS IN THIS PARTICULAR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WANT TO SEE?

>> THEY WANT LOWER PRICES, HEALTH CARE THAT'S LOWER.

I.C.E.

TO GET OUT OF DISTRICT.

THEY WANT LOWER GROCERIES, NOT HAVE A WARRANT, GAS PRICES GOING UP, THEY WANT SAFETY FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND I PLAN TO DO THAT FOR ARIZONA DISTRICT 8.

TED: BERNADETTE, AS FAR AS DEMOCRATS IN THIS DISTRICT, WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR.

>> FIRST THEY WANT SOMEBODY THAT'S A REAL DEMOCRAT, NOT SOMEBODY THAT'S VOTED IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR 16 YEARS AND JUST CHANGED THE PARTY.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

WE HAVE YOUR VAN RECORD.

TED: HOLD ON A SECOND.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE BEEN SAYING WE NEED TO WIN BACK THE WORKING CLASS, THEY SEE A WORKING CLASS CANDIDATE THAT UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

HAVING SOMEBODY THAT RECOGNIZES THOSE PROBLEMS SHARES THOSE INTERESTS.

THAT'S GOT TO MATTER TO THOSE FOLKS.

TED: CAN A CANDIDATE BE TOO PROGRESSIVE IN THIS PARTICULAR DISTRICT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I SPENT THE FIRST SEVEN OR EIGHT MONTHS TRAVELING JUST TALKING TO INDEPENDENTS AND ASKING THEM, HEY, WHAT IS IT YOU CARE ABOUT?

AND IT DIDN'T BREAK DOWN ON IDEOLOGICAL LINES.

IT WAS THINGS THAT MATTER TO ME, SOCIAL SECURITY, VA, ECONOMY, YOU KNOW, HOUSING, AND THOSE WERE SOMETIMES PROGRESSIVE DISTRICTS, ISSUES, SOMETIMES THE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES WE ALL TALK ABOUT.

TED: CAN YOU BE TOO PROGRESSIVE?

>> TWO SIDES OF IT.

YES, YOU CAN, AND MORE MODERATES, YOU CAN BE THAT AS WELL.

THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT WING OFS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I'VE TALKED WITH BOTH REGULARLY.

TED: YOU WERE QUOTED AS SAYING AS A DEMOCRAT.

>> AS A DEMOCRAT YOU.

>> WOULD PRIORITIZE COMMON SENSE.

THAT'S A CURIOUS WAY TO PUT IT.

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING AT?

>> COMMON SENSE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE THE BICKERING STOPPED.

SHE BROUGHT UP I VOTED IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES.

THAT'S TRUE, AS A REGISTERED INDEPENDENT.

AS A NO PREFERENCE PERSON.

>> YOU PULLED REPUBLICAN TICKETS GOING ALL THE WAY BACK.

>> I CAN VOTE INDEPENDENT, I CAN VOTE AGAINST SOMEBODY THAT IS MAGA SUPPORTED.

I AM NOT SUPPORTING MAGA IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, I AM ISSUE ORIENTED, NOT PICKING A PARTY COMPLETELY ON ONE SIDE YOU.

>> SAID AS AN INDEPENDENT, YOU ARE RUNNING IN A DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> AS A DEMOCRAT, I AM THE MOST QUALIFIED.

OF THE THREE PRIMARY AREAS WE HAVE THE DEMOCRATS WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT.

INDEPENDENTS SECOND, AND REPUBLICANS WITH THE MOST OF THEM.

WE NEED TO GET INDEPENDENTS WITH MORE INDEPENDENTS VOTING WITH DEMOCRATS TO GET ABRAHAM HAMADEH OUT.

TED: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

THE NUMBERS ARE 116 DEMOCRATS, 160 INDEPENDENTS, 202,000 REPUBLICANS.

THE THING IS -- RIGHT, THAT WHEN YOU USE THOSE NUMBERS, YOU ALSO USE THAT AS YOUR JUSTIFICATION FOR RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT.

HAD THE LOWER SIGNATURE THRESHOLD BECAUSE WE HAVE THE LOWEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS.

THE PERSON THAT'S GOING TO CONNECT WITH THE FOLKS IS THE ONE THAT CAN GO ACROSS THIS.

WORK IN AN INDUSTRY WITH THE PEOPLE, AND THAT THEY BELIEVE, HEY, MIDWESTERN RACE, WORKING CLASS, BLUE COLLAR.

YOU SPEAK MY LANGUAGE.

TED: REPUBLICAN FOR 30 SOME ODD YEARS.

>> RIGHT.

TED: INDEPENDENT FOR 18 YEARS.

>> NOW 19.

TED: NOW 19.

WHY SHOULD DEMOCRATS IN THE DISTRICT TRUST YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY SHOULD TRUST ME.

I HELPED GREG WHITEN ON HIS CAMPAIGN AND HELPED SIGN UP OTHER DEMOCRATS TALKING TO DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS ON BOTH SIDES.

I AM WHERE THE DEMOCRAT PARTY NEEDS TO GO TO HELP GET THEM IN.

TED: I HEARD YOU REFER TO IT AS A DEMOCRAT PARTY.

THAT'S A REPUBLICAN PHRASE.

>> DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

TED: RESPOND PLEASE?

>> I'VE BEEN DONATING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SINCE I WAS 28.

I HAD A LIFE-SAVING ABORTION AND REALIZE THAT RIGHT WAS BROUGHT TO ME COURTESY OF MY MOTHER, AN R.N., AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I COLLECTED ENOUGH SIGNATURES FOR PROP 39 AND GOT AN AWARD FOR IT.

I'M NOT A COME LATELY.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO KNOW PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR DEMOCRATIC POLICIES THEIR ENTIRE LIFE, NOT THAT THEY COULDN'T REMEMBER WHETHER OR NOT THEY SUPPORTED REAGAN WANTING TO PUT PEOPLE ON AN ISLAND WHO HAD AIDS.

TED: RESPOND PLEASE.

>> YOU RAN YOUR CAMPAIGNS ON INTEGRITY.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL ELECTION COMMISSION NUMBERS FROM YOUR FIRST QUARTER PUT OUT LATE.

IT SHOWS THAT YOU EARNED $123,000 -- OR RECEIVED IN RECEIPTS, YOU HAVE $179,000 IN CASH AVAILABLE.

THAT'S $56,000 MORE THAN YOU HAVE IN YOUR -- THAT YOU GOT IN.

I CHECKED.

THEN I CHECKED WITH SOMEONE THAT'S AN ACCOUNT AN WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION AND HE AGREES.

SO I'M TALKING TO THE DEMOCRAT-WATCHED COMMITTEE MEETING, THEY'RE WATCHING THIS NOW.

LET'S CONTINUE ON INTEGRITY.

YOU'VE GOT -- TED: LET HER RESPOND TO THIS.

>> I HAVE A TREASURER, SO I GUESS WE'LL GET WITH HIM ON WHERE THERE'S A DISPARITY.

HOW ABOUT INTEGRITY, RAY?

INTEGRITY.

YOU TOLD EVERYBODY I HAD MISSED -- >> LET'S TALK INTEGRITY, YOU HAD A.I.

TED: HOLD ON, WHAT ARE YOU GETTING AT?

>> YOU TOLD FOLKS I SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU SAID.

WE HAVE YOU ON VIDEO TELLING DEMOCRATS I ONLY RAN AS A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE I NEEDED A MAJOR PARTY AND LOWER SIGNATURE THRESHOLD.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID.

YOU HAVE NOT BEEN A DEMOCRAT, YOU ARE NOT A DEMOCRAT.

TED: WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?

>> I RAN AS A DEMOCRAT, MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE SIGNATURES NEEDED TO GET ON A PETITION.

MY GOAL IS TO BEAT ABRAHAM HAMADEH BECAUSE I WANT HIM OUT.

>> NOWHERE DOES HE SAY I RAN AS A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE OF MY VALUES, IT WAS EASIER FOR YOU.

>> NO.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID.

INTEGRITYY.

>> LET'S DO INTEGRITYY.

>> COME ON.

>> IT TAKES 4600 PETITIONS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN?

>> AS AN INDEPENDENT, IT TAKES 1700 BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS OUT THERE, TAKES 1335 AS A DEMOCRAT.

I NEEDED SINCE I STARTED IN DECEMBER, I NEEDED LESS SIGNATURES TO BE THERE AND MY VALUES ARE DEMOCRATIC, LOOKING THROUGH IT.

I HAVE PETITION STATEMENTS THAT ARE ALL DOWN THE DEMOCRATIC LINE.

I'M ISSUES DRIVEN.

TED: PLEASE RESPOND.

>> WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG TO JUMP IN?

YOU WAITED FOR ME TO CLEAR THE FIELD OF SEVEN OTHER PEOPLE, WHICH IS FINE.

WELL, THEY'RE NOT HERE.

>> I SAID STAY OUT OF WAY UNTIL MID-DECEMBER, I COULDN'T STAY OUT OF WAY.

THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANYTHING DONE BECAUSE OF RESUMES.

>> OH, WOW.

TED: IF I WERE A DEMOCRAT IN THE DISTRICT, I WOULD SAY LET'S MOVE ON.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON AND START WITH YOUR IDEAS REGARDING HEALTH CARE AND MAKING HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE, YOU SAY THERE ARE BRILLIANT SOLUTIONS OUT THERE TO MAKE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE.

THAT WAS YOUR WORD WAS BRILLIANT.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> WELL, THE FIRST ONE IS TO IMMEDIATELY ALLOW COMPANIES -- MAKE SURE THEY HAVE TO COMPETE FOR MEDICARE, MEDICAID, FOR THE VA, FOR ANY TYPE OF THING.

THEY IMMEDIATELY HAVE TO COMPETE AND LOWER THE PRICES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

MY HUSBAND AND I SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO MEXICO TO BUY HIS DIABETIC MEDICATION.

MY MOM SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RATIONING HER INSULIN AND DYING BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T ACCESS THAT.

WE NEED TO EXPAND THE ACA.

SERIOUSLY, I THINK THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING WITH WHEN WE CANCELED THE SUBSIDIES, WE'RE SPENDING, WHAT, 200, 300 BILLION ALREADY ON THIS WAR.

NOW IF WE SHIFTED THAT BACK TO THE SUBSIDIES TO LOWER THE COST.

SO MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF GOT KICKED OFF THE ACA BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY.

TED: HOW DO YOU MAKE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE?

>> MAKE GENERIC DRUGS NEGOTIABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

NUMBER TWO, YOU PROMOTE GENERIC DRUGS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WHY?

BECAUSE THE PATENT HAS EXPIRED.

THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS.

THIRD THING IS FOR HAVING A PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFIT MANAGERS WHO OWN THE ENTIRE CHAIN UP THERE WITH PHARMACEUTICALS, PUBLICIZE THEIR COSTS IN EACH MAJOR SECTION OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

WE ARE PAYING THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS OTHER FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES AND HAVING WORSE RESULTS.

>> SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN THE TRUMP BILL.

HE RAISED THE MINIMUM MAXIMUM AGE FOR MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS FROM 54 TO 65.

OKAY.

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THAT FOR MEDICAID, RAISING WORK REQUIREMENTS.

YOU THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA?

>> I THINK IT IS.

IN PART AT AGE 65 WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY ATTACHED TO IT OR RELATED TO IT STARTED IN THE 1930s, THAT WAS THE HALF UP AND HALF BELOW OF PEOPLE DYING.

NOW IT'S MUCH HIGHER.

TED: MAXIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAID FROM 54 TO 65.

GOOD OR BAD THING?

>> BAD THING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST COVERAGE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT WORK OR CAN'T MEET THAT THRESHOLD.

THEY CAN'T WORK FULL-TIME, THEY DON'T HAVE COVERAGE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER.

THAT WAS THEIR LIFELINE.

NOT UNLINE S.N.A.P., 400,000 ARIZONANS LOST ACCESS TO S.N.A.P.

WHEN YOU CUT OFF THE PROGRAMS, GIVE ME A BREAK ON THE FRAUD AND ABUSE, IT'S A VERY, VERY LOW PERCENTAGE.

PEOPLE LEAVE THESE PROGRAMS.

MY FAMILY, OTHER FAMILIES, THEY'VE ALL USED THEM IN THE PAST.

THIS JUST MAKES IT HARDER.

TED: RESPOND.

>> TALK ABOUT S.N.A.P., SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

NUTRITIONAL IS THE SECOND LETTER.

I DON'T THINK S.N.A.P.

SHOULD HAVE COKE AND CHIPS AT A CIRCLE-K ON THE LIST.

THAT SHOULD BE REDUCED FROM THAT, AND THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN OCTOBER WAS TALKED ABOUT BY THE REPUBLICANS PRIMARILY, AND I AGREE WITH THEM, BECAUSE IT'S NOT CANDY BARS IN A STORE.

ARIZONA DOES NOT HAVE THAT.

TED: OKAY.

DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT AT ALL?

>> SO AS DEMOCRATS WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO OUR BEDROOM BUT WANT THEM TO GO INTO GROCERY CARTS, GOTCHA.

TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THAT MATTER.

SOLVENCY THERE.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPENDING ON THESE THINGS GET THESE THINGS?

>> NUMBER ONE THING WITH SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT HAVE IT PRIVATIZED.

CAN YOU PICTURE ALL THE PEOPLE SAYING INVEST YOUR MONEY HERE AND WATCH IT -- I'LL MAKE IT GREAT FOR YOU.

YEAH, RIGHT.

I HAVE A STEPMOTHER WHO WAS BEING PREDATED ON BY HER CAREGIVER, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT MARICOPA COUNTY HAS AN ENTIRE DEPARTMENT ON FINANCIAL SENIOR ABUSE.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HAPPENED.

I MET THEM.

TED: OKAY, I'M TALKING ABOUT SOLVENCY FOR MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

I'LL GET BACK TO YOU IN A SECOND.

I WANT TO GET YOUR RESPONSE.

>> SO, WE DO NEED TO -- IT'S A BAD WORD, WE NEED TO INCREASE THAT TAX.

WE NEED TO INCREASE MEDICARE TAX.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FUND IT.

ALSO ALL THESE FOLKS THAT MAY BE UNDOCUMENTED OR IN THAT INTERIM STAGE, A LOT OF THEM ARE CONTRIBUTING, WE NEED TO GET THEM INTO THE SYSTEM SO THEY CAN FULLY CONTRIBUTE.

RIGHT NOW SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO RUN OUT I THINK IN 2030, 2032 DEPENDING ON WHAT IT IS, AND I DO AGREE WITH RAY.

WE CANNOT PRIVATIZE IT.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THE ROLLER COASTER OF PEOPLE'S NEST EGGS GOING ON.

TED: SO WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUNGER FOLKS WHO DON'T THINK SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE ARE GOING TO BE AROUND WHEN THEY REACH THE AGE?

>> THEY HAVE VALUED CONCERNS OVER THAT.

>> I HAVE A VALUED CONCERN.

TED: WHAT'S THE MESSAGE, AGREE WITH YOU AND THAT'S IT?

>> SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY AND KEEP MAKING ADJUSTMENTS.

IT REMAINS AN ISSUE AS IT GETS FARTHER AND FARTHER ALONG.

THE ISSUE IS THERE BUT NEVER SOLVED.

TED: YOUR MESSAGE WOULD BE WHAT?

>> LET'S TAKE PROACTIVE ACTION TO MAKE SURE AND ENSURE THAT THAT LIFE LINE IS THERE.

YOU'RE PAYING INTO IT.

THAT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THEIR MONEY AND THEY'RE PAYING INTO IT IF THEY'RE 18, 20, 25, WORKING AT BURGER KING, THEY ARE PAYING INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.

THEY NEED TO GET IT WHEN THEY RETIRE.

TED: TALK ABOUT THE TRUMP BILL, THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.

YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED ON IT IN CONGRESS.

I WOULD IMAGINE YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED AGAINST IT, BUT THE TAX CUTS, THE PRESIDENT SAYS, AND REPUBLICANS AGREE THAT THE TAX CUTS ARE NEEDED TO INCENTIVIZE THE ECONOMY TO GIVE A BOOST TO GET THINGS MOVING.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT HAS NOT WORKED.

THAT'S WHY THE DISPARITY OF THE EXTREME WEALTHY HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY, AND THE WORKING CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS KEEPS FALLING.

SO OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT WORKING.

HE DID THIS IN 2019, 2018, I GUESS IS WHEN IT TOOK EFFECT, AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS THEY BANKED THAT MONEY, THESE BIG CORPORATIONS THAT GOT THE TAXES AND STILL NEED TAXPAYERS TO GIVE THEM A BAILOUT.

THEY DON'T PASS THE BENEFITS ONTO US.

IT'S RIDICULOUS, AND YOU KNOW, THE FLAT TAX, WE CAN GO THROUGH ALL THIS STUFF.

I KNOW TAXES ARE A BAD WORD, BUT THIS IS HOW WE FUND THINGS AND GET THINGS BUILT IN THIS COUNTRY.

TED: THE IDEA OF CUTTING TAXES TO MOVE THE IDEA, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> WE ARE ALREADY IN A DEFICIT NATIONALLY CUTTING TAXES DOESN'T MAKE IT BETTER.

BEING MORE EFFICIENT WITH THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE, NOT SPENDING IT MAKES IT BETTER.

TED: TO THAT END, IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO CREATE JOBS, TO RAISE WAGES AND CORRECT THE U.S.

FISCAL IMBALANCE.

ARE THERE BETTER WAYS?

>> O, YES.

TED: AND THEY ARE?

>> INFLATION, COMES IN TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, THE IRAN WAR, AND GAS PRICES GOING UP.

OTHER PART IS BLANKET TARIFFS.

TARGETED TARIFFS ARE -- CAN BE USED AND DONE EFFICIENTLY.

BLANKET TARIFFS ARE BASICALLY WE ARE PAYING TAXES.

IT'S ESTIMATED 50% OF THE INFLATION NOW IS DUE TO TARIFFS.

WHAT'S WORSE IS THE TARIFFS WE ARE PAYING, NOT THE FOREIGNERS, IS GOING INTO A GENERAL FUND AND TRUMP IS USING THAT AND HAMADEH IS SUPPORTING HIM TO -- TED: I'M TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER HERE.

ARE THERE WAYS?

>> YES, THERE ARE.

TED: LET'S GO FROM BLANKET TARIFFS TO TARGETED TARIFFS.

ARE THERE WAYS TO CREATE JOBS, RAISE WAGES.

REPUBLICANS HAVE THEIR WAY, THEY SAY CUT TAXES AND LET THE UPPER WAGE EARNERS AND BUSINESSES DO THEIR THING.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> WE NEED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE SO FAMILIES CAN AT LEAST START AFFORDING WHAT THE COST IS, AND THEN -- I WORKED ON SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS FOR 27 YEARS, WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH ON TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND OTHER THINGS.

IT IS A SUPPLY AND DEMAND THING.

WHETHER IT BE OIL, COFFEE OR GROCERIES, AND ALL THAT INCREASE IN THE RISING COST OF PRODUCTS IS ADDING TO THE INFLATION.

THE IRAN WAR KICKED EVERYTHING INTO HIGH GEAR WITH THE GAS PRICES AND STUFF.

TED: I ALSO READ A QUOTE WHERE YOU SAID, YOU FERVENTLY SUPPORT UNIONS.

>> YES.

TED: EXPLAIN.

>> SO I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A UNION RAILROADER, AND I'LL JUST SAY, AGAIN, WHEN YOU WERE ASKED ABOUT THAT, YOU COULD NOT REMEMBER IF YOU WERE OKAY WITH REAGAN BREAKING THE UNION RAILROAD.

>> I DID SAY I WASN'T AGAINST THAT.

>> YOU SAID YOU COULDN'T REMEMBER, BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> NO.

>> THE UNIONS GAVE US THE 40-HOUR WORKWEEK, THE UNIONS ENGAGED US INTO HAVING BREAKS AND HEALTH CARE.

UNIONS BUILD UP THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WORKER.

THEY MAKE EVERY HOUSEHOLD STRONGER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND UNION MEMBERSHIP ACROSS THE MAP.

TED: RESPOND TO THE REAGAN COMMENT.

>> RESPOND TO THE REAGAN COMMENT.

I HAVE WORKED AS AN AVIONIC SOFTWARE ENGINEER FOR THE LAST 30+ YEARS MAKING PLANES FLY AND NOT CRASH.

YOU TALKED ABOUT CUTTING OUT THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS IN THAT UNION, I WAS TOTALLY AGAINST THAT BECAUSE IT SHUT DOWN AIRPORTS.

TED: AND WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?

>> WE HAVE THE VIDEO WHEN YOU WERE ASKED IF YOU SUPPORTED REAGAN BREAKING THE UNIONS IN THE EARLY 90s, YOU SAID I WAS RAISED AS A REPUBLICAN, AND I WASN'T REALLY INVOLVED IN POLITICS, AND I DON'T REMEMBER.

AND WE HAVE OLD MEN WHO HAVE -- I'M SORRY.

TED: HOLD ON, HOLD ON.

LET'S KIND OF GET THE FLAME BACK IN THE AIR HERE.

REGARDING UNIONS AND YOUR FERVENT SUPPORT OF UNIONS, DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATIC VOTERS, THE DISTRICT IN GENERAL, FEELS AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT UNIONS AS YOU DO?

>> TSMC HIRED A LOT OF UNION WORKERS.

AS THEY SEE THE BENEFITS OF THE UNIONS, INCLUDING THOSE FOLKS THAT GOT KICKED OFF OF THE ACA BECAUSE THEY LOST THE SUBSIDIES.

IF THEY HAD A UNION JOB, THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD SOMEBODY ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO KEEP BENEFITS OR TO GET A HIGHER COST OF LIVING INCREASE WAGE, SO AS THOSE BENEFITS BECOME MORE APPARENT, THEN, YES, I THINK UNION MEMBERSHIP WILL EXPAND.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS DISTRICT AND THE IDEA OF SUPPORTING UNIONS?

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S GOOD IN CERTAIN AREAS.

TED: OKAY.

SO YOU THINK CERTAIN AREAS OF THE DISTRICT SUPPORT UNIONS AND CERTAIN AREAS DON'T.

I'M TRYING TO GET AN IMPRESSION OF THE DISTRICT AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT LABOR?

>> LET'S GO DOWN THAT.

THERE'S A FIRE UNION.

THERE'S A POLICE UNION.

THERE'S A TEACHER'S UNION AND OTHER UNIONS AS WELL.

I'VE ONLY WORKED IN ONE UNION PLANT.

IT WAS IN KANSAS.

UNION WORKERS ARE EXCELLENT AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THIS IS A RIGHT-TO-WORK STATE.

WE NEED TO INCREASE UNIONS.

TED: OKAY, WE GOT TO GET MOVING HERE.

>> THERE'S ONLY ONE OF US THAT THE UNIONS ARE ENDORSING, SO -- >> RAY, I WANT TO GET WITH OUT IDEA OF BORDER SECURITY.

THE IDEA OF BORDER SECURITY FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, A DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT?

>> I STARTED IN DECEMBER, JANUARY DOWN AT THE BORDER, SOUTH OF FORT HUACHUCA, I KNEW WHERE THE BORDER WALL STOPPED.

A CONGRESSMAN IN A BORDER STATE NEEDS TO KNOW WHERE THE WALL IS.

NOTHING HAD CHANGED.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THAT AREA FOR 16 YEARS.

WE NEED A -- IF THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THERE ARE NO ILLEGAL ALIENS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER, WHY ARE WE INCREASING I.C.E.?

WHY ARE WE BASICALLY -- WHY ARE WE CONTINUING THE WALL?

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, THE DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION, AND BORDER SECURITY AND RIGHT NOW?

REPUBLICANS WILL SAY IT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT.

>> WE HAVE LESS FOLKS COMING IN, OBVIOUSLY.

THERE WAS A HUGE BUILDUP BECAUSE OF COVID, AND THEY WERE FORCED TO REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY.

BY THE WAY, I.C.E.

DOESN'T HANDLE BORDER, THAT'S BORDER PATROL.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE BIGGER ISSUES IS WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO TRANSITION THE FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY HERE.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, IF THEY HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, SEND THEM BACK, BUT THAT'S NOT WHO WE'RE DETAINING RIGHT NOW.

MY MEXICAN-AMERICAN HUSBAND AND CHINESE DAUGHTER ARE CARRYING THEIR PASSPORT.

THIS IS A PROBLEM.

THERE IS A WAY WE CAN SECURE OUR BORDER WITHOUT SACRIFICING HUMANITY.

TED: AND REGARDING I.C.E., SHOULD IT BE ABOLISHED?

IS IT A ROGUE AGENCY?

>> NO, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE REFORMED.

I AM NOT A DEFUND I.C.E.

I AM THE REFORM THE HECK OUT OF IT.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT I.C.E.?

>> NEEDS TO BE REDUCED TO ORIGINAL OBJECTIVES.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE TRAINING AND IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY HUGELY MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO LET THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT A SAFETY THREAT NOT BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN AWAY AND MARKED OUT OF COUNTRY.

THAT'S 275,000 PEOPLE IN THE LAST, IN 2025 THAT WERE DETAINED UNNECESSARILY.

TED: CANDIDATES, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE-MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

WE START WITH RAY KEELER.

>> I'M RAY KEELER, RUNNING AS DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8.

I AM RUNNING TO TELL INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE, I'M NOT A PUBLIC SPEAKER, I'M A SOFTWARE ENGINEER, I CAN MAKE THIS WORK.

I'VE WORKED AS AN OFFICER AND N A NATIONAL NONPROFIT FOR 11,000 PEOPLE AS A GOVERNMENT LIAISON FOR THREE YEARS.

I WORKED WITH GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AT THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AND AT THE PRIVATE LEVEL AS WELL AS A VOLUNTEER.

I CAN GET THIS DONE.

I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I WAS BASED OUT OF THERE FOR ALL OF MY CONVERSATIONS.

TED: ALL RIGHT, SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM BERNADETTE GREENE-PLACENTIA.

>> WELL, AS A LIFELONG TRUCK DRIVER AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I AM VERY PROUD THEY HAVE ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES BUT BEEN ABLE TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE.

THAT INCLUDES GETTING THE RECENT COURAGE CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT.

I'M NOT WAITING UNTIL I'M ELECTED.

WE'RE BUILDING A COALITION RIGHT NOW OF OTHER CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THESE RED RACES SO THAT WHEN WE GET TO OFFICE ON DAY ONE, WE'RE READY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET TO WORK.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT FOLKS WANT.

IF YOU WANT SOMEONE UNION ENDORSED, FIGHTING FOR THIS DISTRICT FOR YEARS, AND HAS ALWAYS HELD VERY FIRMLY TO HER DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, THEN YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.

BERNADETTE GREENE-PLACENTIA.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, BOTH.

THANK YOU BOTH, VERY MUCH.

THANKS TO OUR CANDIDATES AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION.

OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION," THE NEXT ONE WILL BE TOMORROW, MAY 13, AS WE HEAR FROM REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

THAT'S TOMORROW MAY 13 AT 5:00 P.M.

AND AGAIN AT 10:00 P.M.

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.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.