Watch CBS News

Craig, Lewis Go At It On Trump, Health Care In Radio Debate

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The candidates for Congress in Minnesota's 2nd District squared off on Thursday in a lively radio debate.

Democrat Angie Craig and Republican Jason Lewis are in a hotly contested race – and it showed. In the Minnesota Public Radio debate, the two sparred over health care, highways and Donald Trump.

On the Affordable Care Act: Lewis is against it, Craig is in favor.

"His only solution is to create an access problem by repealing the affordable care and leaving 20 million people without coverage," Craig said. "And he's got absolutely no plan to replace it."

Lewis, in response, said the only people who actually support Obamacare now are Nancy Pelosi and his opponent.

"[Craig] wants to expand the Affordable Care Act," the Republican candidate said.

Minnesota's 2nd District has a rare open seat with the retirement of longtime Republican Congressman John Kline.

Craig has been linking Lewis to Trump, whose comments Lewis denounces, but says he'll support his party's candidate because he's not Hillary Clinton.

"For heaven's sake! We've got the Clinton machine throwing stones at a glass house," Lewis said.

National Democrats and Republicans are targeting the Second District with millions of dollars in negative ads.

But the candidates say their core message is what's most important.

"I've got 22 years in the private sector experience, and I want to make sure I contrasted that with Jason's 25 years on the radio promoting partisan politics and gridlock in Washington," Craig said after the debate.

Lewis, on the other hand, said that this entire election cycle is one about change.

"If you want change, I'm your guy," Lewis said.

Minnesota's 2nd District is among the most rare in the country – a district won by President Barack Obama but represented by a Republican in Congress.

This year, Democrats think they have a good chance of flipping the district from red to blue.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.