Presidential Debate

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about their stances on the economy and immigration during the Sept. 10 presidential debate.

ABC News anchors and debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis first asked the candidates about Americans’ thoughts on the state of the economy.

Harris said she intends to extend a $6,000 tax cut for families to support their children and a $50,000 tax credit for small business start-ups. 

Trump said he would continue placing tariffs on other countries and said inflation is currently “the worst in our nation’s history.” In response, Harris said Trump left the country in the “worst unemployment since the Great Depression.” 

Moderator Davis asked how Harris would secure peace in Gaza. Harris reaffirmed her support for Israel and said “Israel has a right to defend itself,” but also said “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.” 

Trump did not elaborate when asked to respond on the Israel-Hamas War and said the conflict in the Middle East would not have happened if he was president. 

Vice Presidential Debate

Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz faced off in the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1. and discussed their stances on topics including reproductive rights and the conflict in the Middle East.

CBS News anchor and debate moderator Margaret Brennan first asked the candidates about Iran’s recent strike against Israel. Neither candidate gave a clear response to this question. However, Walz said steady leadership is fundamental with rising tensions. 

Vance responded and said Trump “actually delivered stability in the world.” He said the United States also needed to “support (its) allies.” 

O’Donnell asked the candidates for their stance on abortion. Walz said he denies signing a ninth month abortion bill and said the choice of abortion is a “basic human right.” 

Vance said he and Trump are committed to pursuing pro-family policies, including accessible childcare and fertility treatments. 

Mayoral Forum

Five Austin mayoral candidates discussed a new police contract and housing affordability at a Sept. 25 forum.

Moderators Francheska Castillo, a reporter at Univision 62, and Kylee Howard, news editor at The Daily Texan, asked the candidates about the Sept. 23 announcement of a new five-year tentative police contract agreement between the city and Austin Police Association and about city officials’ failure to “perform their mandatory duty to end Austin’s use of the G-file.” 

Moderator Ed Bryson, director of news and public affairs for PBS Austin, asked candidates about new land development codes.

Candidate Doug Greco, former lead organizer with Central Texas Interfaith, said he supports paying police and public safety officers “competitively.” Greco also said he hopes to address Austin’s housing crisis by investing in the city’s workforce and middle class.

Carmen Llanes Pulido, executive director of Go Austin/Vamos Austin, said Austin has many units that are too expensive and to “keep people where they are and produce truly affordable housing.”  She also said there is a lack of understanding about the police budget which has led to a divide within the community, and said most people just want “a good response to 911 and to feel safe.”

Jeffery Bowen, a member of Austin’s Neighborhood Association, said the Association has not fully reviewed the police contract, but that a 28% raise for the police department over five years seems reasonable. Bowen said there are many high-end apartments being developed in Austin, but that does not solve the affordability issue for lower-income residents.

Kathie Tovo, former mayor pro-tem and District 9 Council Member, said the community has supported multiple affording housing bonds that have helped build housing across the city.  On the police contract, Tovo said officers deserve a multi-year contract and a “fair and competitive wage,” but there needs to be a conversation with the public about the financial investment.

Mayor Kirk Watson said his administration has been doing a lot to address housing affordability. Watson also said the city will pay the officers enough to live in the city they patrol, and said the police contract does not take away the public’s right to vote on the Austin Police Oversight Act. 

Senate Debate

Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Colin Allred discussed voter issues, including reproductive rights and affordable housing, in the Oct. 15 Senate debate.

Jason Whitely, a WFAA senior political reporter and debate moderator, opened the debate by asking Cruz about his thoughts on abortion restrictions in Texas, which does not take into account cases of rape and incest. Cruz did not directly answer the question, but said he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court — that we should solve issues with “genuine disagreements” by voting. 

Allred said Texas’s abortion law is unreasonable because it does not make exceptions for cases of incest or rape. 

Whitley also asked Allred about his stance on Vice President Kamala Harris’ affordable housing policies, which includes a grant to build more affordable housing in Texas. 

Allred said he will prioritize building more affordable housing across the country, and said the government needs to invest in infrastructure. 

Cruz responded and blamed the rise in housing costs on “the 11.5 million illegal immigrants that Congressman Allred and Kamala Harris have led in with their open borders.” 

Early voting begins Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5.