2022 California Senate race: debates and news coverage


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Mark Meuser: Against abortion; it's a state's rights issue.

Budget & Economy     Mark Meuser: The Federal Government needs to start balancing its budget.     Alex Padilla: These aren't stimulus checks; they're basic survival checks.

Crime     Mark Meuser: Criminals do not fear any repercussions for their actions.

Education     Mark Meuser: Schools are failing children.     Alex Padilla: Expanded after school programs; reduced class sizes.

Energy & Oil     Mark Meuser: I can't get a straight definition on what climate change is.     Mark Meuser: Grant drilling permits; encourage domestic oil production.     Alex Padilla: Got state agency to increase use of renewable energy.     Alex Padilla: 2006: for solar power, modernizing electrical grid.

Free Trade     Alex Padilla: Urge China to lift tariffs on U.S. wines.

Government Reform     Mark Meuser: Time to start reining in the unelected bureaucrats.     Mark Meuser: Can't have confidence in the results of 2020 election.     James Bradley: Party to suit challenging state election laws.     Alex Padilla: Yes to expanding Supreme Court; not sure on term limits.     Alex Padilla: Implemented same-day voter registration.     Alex Padilla: Gave voter outreach money to consulting firm, not counties.     Alex Padilla: Has focused on lowering barriers to voting.     Alex Padilla: Supported allowing let 17-year-olds vote in primaries.     Alex Padilla: Reducing city council districts an assault on voting rights.     Alex Padilla: Vote by mail works in blue states and red states.

Gun Control     Mark Meuser: On universal background checks, Congress shall not infringe.     Alex Padilla: 2006: Stopped felons from possessing body armor.

Health Care     Mark Meuser: COVID isolation policy caused poor job market & inflation.     Alex Padilla: We've got to better support our health care infrastructure.     Alex Padilla: 2006: Fought for universal health care.     Xavier Becerra: 133M people with pre-existing conditions rely on ObamaCare.

Homeland Security     Alex Padilla: Maintain San Diego's Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

Immigration     Mark Meuser: Don't defund the border patrol.     Alex Padilla: Battle over Prop. 187 led to involvement in politics.     James Bradley: Opposes California's sanctuary state laws.

Principles & Values     Mark Meuser: Vote twice: short-term and long-term Senate on same ballot.     Alex Padilla: What drives my public service passion are issues of equity.     Alex Padilla: Son of Mexican immigrants; taught him value of education.     Alex Padilla: Became a teenage activist on crime, environmental racism.     Alex Padilla: Dedicated to having as an inclusive democracy as possible.     James Bradley: Cardi B's "WAP" made me want to pour holy water in my ears.

Technology     Alex Padilla: Bill created statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.     Alex Padilla: Election security is ongoing effort, not once a generation.     Alex Padilla: States run elections, Feds can standardize administration.

War & Peace     Mark Meuser: Foreign policy weakness allowed Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Alex Padilla Democratic Appointee California James Bradley Republican Challenger California Mark Meuser Republican Senate Challenger California Xavier Becerra California HHS Secretary