Only two candidates are left in the race for the Democratic U.S. House nomination, after candidate Ben Mitchell dropped out and endorsed opponent Dan Freilich during a Thursday afternoon debate on VPR.
Freilich and Mitchell repeatedly challenged incumbent Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., during the forum for accepting money from corporations and on campaign finance issues. Candidates also discussed the controversial basing of F-35 fighter jets at Burlington International Airport.
Mitchell said during his closing statement he believes democracy is under attack, specifically through problems with campaign finance. He said he is officially dropping out and announced his endorsement of Frielich.
“You haven’t taken any money and I’ve watched you work your heart out on this,” said Mitchell, in a comment directed at Freilich.
“I think we need someone to represent Vermont who does not represent the corporations, but represents the actual people of Vermont,” he said.
Mitchell, of Westminster, is a self-described “Democratic Socialist” who has advocated for the impeachment of President Donald Trump and a “Medicare for all” health care system. He is an education professor.
Freilich is a Navy captain and medical doctor from Brownsville who has made campaign finance reform the central issue of his campaign.
The two challengers took on incumbent Welch, who was first elected in 2006 and is running for his seventh term in office.
The candidates clashed when Mitchell asked Welch about placing F-35 fighter jets in Vermont, pointing to opposition from Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski.
“Why are you siding with Lockheed Martin over the will of your constituents who voted in town meeting?” Mitchell asked.
Welch said the issue of the F-35s was decided in an independent review without his involvement. He said the secretary of the Air Force has made it clear that if the F-35s don’t come to Burlington, the Vermont Air National Guard would lose its mission.
“There is a real challenge here, because we support our Air Guard, and we support the incredible mixture of assets at that airport, but it’s going to have an impact of the neighborhood,” he said.
Welch said he has been working with the Air Force and is confident it is going to do everything it can to take into account public concerns.
Mitchell responded by describing a Burlington City Council meeting at which a Guard representative with “his cronies in full uniform” claimed that rejecting the planes would “take away 800 jobs.”
Mitchell called the tactics “threatening” in favor of “an unconscientious decision.”
Welch took issue with Mitchell’s characterization of the Guard members as “cronies.”
“Let’s not suggest, ever, that the men and women of the Guard are doing something that’s pretextual, and the use of the word ‘cronies’ I find very offensive,” he said.
Vermont Edition host Bob Kinzel asked candidates early in the debate if they would support a carbon tax.
Welch said he would support such a tax, to prevent emissions, but would be interested in implementing it along with rebates for low- and middle-income Vermonters.
“The cost of buying a gallon of gas or using carbon fuels does not include the cleanup cost, the environmental damage cost,” he said.
Freilich, who supports the tax, used the opportunity to attack Welch’s acceptance of PAC money from corporations that produce emissions, and said it impedes progress on the issue.
A Tuesday debate held on Channel 17 in Burlington also focused heavily on campaign finance issues.
Freilich called for “very significant” tax hikes on the “ultra-rich” and corporations.
“The investment shouldn’t just come from the carbon tax,” Freilich said.
Mitchell, who supports such a tax, also brought attention to the issue of campaign finance. He said the real focus should be on taking money out of politics.
“As long as the corporations are funding the campaigns and determine the debate, there’s really very little hope,” he said.
Freilich said his platform is focused on removing corruption from politics, and asked Welch why he rejected offers from him and Mitchell to drop out of the race, if Welch stopped accepting special interest money.
Welch responded by saying all of the members of Vermont’s Statehouse and congressional delegation are “really honest.”
“First of all, you’re making a suggestion that I’m corrupt; it’s what you did against Sen. (Patrick) Leahy six years ago,” he said, referring to Freilich’s earlier congressional bid in 2010.
He fired back at Freilich, calling him out for failing to file a contributions report under campaign finance law before the primary.
“Every decision I make is based on what is in the best interest of Vermont and the country,” Welch said.
Freilich followed up by reading a list of corporations in various sectors that Welch accepts money from for his campaign.
“I’ve taken on banks, I’ve taken on pharma, I’ve taken on oil companies consistently and aggressively,” Welch said.
Welch said his campaign finance approach is about making sure Vermonters have the ability to choose their representative, not “Wall Street billionaires.”
Welch questioned how Freilich can back his advocacy for addressing climate change when he voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the 2008 presidential race based on military policy.
“That’s a decision that, if you’re in Congress, is about sending Vermonters to war,” Welch said.
Freilich fired back and said that one vote means nothing about his views on climate change.
“With all due respect, Congressman, I don’t think you know anything about public service,” Freilich said. “I’ve spent 23 years in the Navy and helped patch up probably thousands of troops at this point. I don’t think you know what you’re talking about.”
Freilich said he would describe the work of Welch as “corruption-lite,” and said the lawmaker doesn’t work to remove conflicts of interests.
Welch said he has worked hard on energy efficiency, and getting funding for broadband internet in rural areas and disaster relief following Tropical Storm Irene.
He asked Mitchell to explain earlier calls for legalizing heroin.
“This is not a criminal issue, this is a public health issue,” Mitchell said, adding that he stills stands behind his statement.
In his closing statement, Welch encouraged Vermonters to support the continuation of his work.
“I love this job working in Congress because I get to help Vermonters, I get to stand up for them,” he said.
Freilich said he is “humbled and honored” to receive the endorsement from Mitchell.
“If you vote for me you will be voting for something new and exciting and wholesome,” he said. “If you vote for Mr. Welch, you will be voting for a continuation of something that hasn’t worked.”
Contacted later Thursday afternoon, Freilich said he was aware in advance of Mitchell’s plans to drop out during the debate, but the two candidates did not coordinate their participation in the forum.
“We both had the same critiques of how Mr. Welch represents Vermont,” Freilich said.
Mitchell first told Freilich about his endorsement plans a week and a half ago at an event in Rutland.
“I think he stepped up and took one for the team here,” Freilich said.
