| Mitchell Howie, Democratic candidate for Congress in AL-05, was a guest of the Madison County Democratic Women at their April meeting on Thursday. Along with the other candidates for AL-05, Howie spoke to the group about his campaign and took questions. Howie explained that he's running for Congress for two main reasons: his commitment to serving this country (Howie is a former JAG attorney and is now a Captain in the Air Force Reserves) and because "this district deserves better" than the representation we've gotten from temporary Congressman Parker Griffith. There was a spirited question and answer session where all candidates grappled with some tough questions: - Would you vote to repeal health insurance reform? Howie said NO; he'd work to make the legislation better to provide more protection for consumers and less for insurance companies.
- What's your stand on abortion? Howie acknowledged that it's a difficult issue, but thinks it's a choice for a woman and her doctor to make - not her Congressman.
- What's your stand on marriage equality? Howie used this question to call for the repeal of DADT, saying it keeps good people out of the military at a time when we're fighting two wars and it's bad for military readiness.
- Would you have voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act? Absolutely!
- Could you speak about BRAC and its impact on the district? Howie noted that he's had experience with BRAC in North Carolina and said the district needs a rep in Congress who will "stay on the transportation committee" and help the district get the infrastructure needed to support BRAC.
Howie used his closing statement to call for more candidate forums and formal debates, noting that in Congress, you have to be able to discuss and debate ideas and issues.
The video is on the flip. All four 5th District candidates spoke and I'm putting up the video in alphabetical order. Next up will be Dr. David Maker, then Steve Raby, and finally Taze Shepard. Stay tuned! |
