SALT LAKE CITY — A Democrat has not held the seat of the 1st Congressional District in Utah for 40 years, but two very different contenders from that party are hoping to change that come fall.
First, either Darren Parry and Jamie Cheek will have to emerge victorious in the June primary election to try to best the GOP candidate in the general election come November.
The two participated in a Monday debate hosted by the Utah Debate Commission, answering a variety of questions posed by reporters and university students on topics ranging from the recent protests over police brutality, the upheaval caused by COVID-19 and issues such as climate change, immigration, health care and military spending.
While the hourlong debate was cordial, it revealed very distinctive differences between the candidates, particularly on the subject of immigration.
Both Cheek and Parry favor giving “Dreamers” a path to citizenship because they are children of illegal immigrants born on American soil who have lived in the United States for decades.
Parry said he favors securing the border because it is a necessity in much-needed immigration reform, with current policies in place that are clearly failing and unjust.
“If we imposed the immigration restrictions we have today in 1492, my people would still own this land and they don’t,” said Parry, who is chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. “If you can’t control the amount of people coming into our country, if it is an open gate and you can’t devise a program that will work for everyone. We need to make it easier. ... Absolutely you need to stop the flow.”
But Cheek said securing the border won’t fix the immigration problem and that step is more about keeping certain ethnic groups out of the country, not national security.
Cheek is from rural Wyoming, and is a first generation college graduate who grew up in a family that relied on government assistance.
She is a regional director for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and lives in Ogden. Her platform emphasizes accessible, affordable health care for all, lower tuition or waiving tuition at tech schools to bolster greater access to educational resources.
“I work every day with people who are falling behind and falling between the cracks,” she said.
Parry, a lifelong resident of Utah who now lives in Providence, said he does not favor Medicare for all, like his opponent, who believes allowing a federal option will force private health care companies to lower their costs and be more competitive.
Parry said he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England, where there is a single system.
“Health care is a right that all Americans should have,” he said, adding he would work to defend and strengthen the Affordable Care Act passed under the Obama administration.
Cheek said the United States basically has a “sick care” system with little attention paid to preventative care because people can’t afford their health insurance or prescription costs.
Both emphasized a need for improved police training in light of the death of George Floyd while in Minnesota police custody which has sparked massive riots and protests across the country.
“We need to take the bigger message from these protests,” Cheek said. “Black Lives Matter is more than a hashtag.”
Parry said he has watched the riots on television and has been saddened.
“The problem is clear: People of color have not had a seat at the table. As a Native American leader, I understand that and it is disheartening.”
Cheek and Parry also agreed that China poses the greatest threat to the United States in terms of foreign policy.
“I don’t think they have our best interests at heart,” Parry said, adding he is worried about the trade deficit imbalance.
“The trade deficit we have with China is unacceptable. It is important we get our own fiscal house in order.”
Cheek said the threats from China are a bipartisan issue that has to be addressed to keep elections safe and ward off cybersecurity threats.
The two candidates also said climate change and protecting Utah’s public lands are top priorities.
Parry said it is his most pressing issue, especially when it comes to boosting the condition of Utah’s air quality.
“We need to start living sustainable lives. We need to start making changes today to have a cleaner environment tomorrow.”
He stopped short of saying he would support the Green New Deal, a proposed package of legislation that aims to wean the United States off fossil fuel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get the world to net zero emissions by 2050.
“In concept, I absolutely support it,” Parry said. “(But) even the hardcore Democrats in D.C. realize we can’t implement the Green New Deal tomorrow.”
Cheek said that pollution problems are a “big business” problem.
“I am willing to defend the Green New Deal. Most pollution is coming from big business that isn’t being regulated.”
Both also detailed their support for the mission of Hill Air Force Base, but said military spending needs to reduce to trim the excess in the budget.
Cheek said the military could be modernized in its functions. Parry said there may be areas of where cuts would be needed, but he would protect Hill Air Force Base at “all costs.”
The primary election is June 30.