NCS41 Debate

Jeff Tarte and John Aneralla met for a debate at Cornelius Town Hall on Thursday during lunch.  As one would expect in a primary between members of the same party, the candidates agreed on many points.  While it's difficult for Twitter to communicate complex topics, the below series does show a couple of themes. First, neither candidate comes off as a liberal. Both give fairly standard conservative answers. However, where they disagree, John Aneralla consistently took a more conservative stance. 

For example when asked about the gas tax cap and tolls in Question 4, Jeff Tarte stated that he supported toll lanes on I77 as a means to get the lanes built.  John Aneralla preferred reprioritizing existing funds to built the lanes rather than taxing motorists twice with a toll on top of gas taxes.

The other main difference also revolved around transportation.  That came up when John Aneralla mentioned the Red Line near the end of the debate.  Aneralla has been clear and consistent in his opposition to this project.  He accused Jeff Tarte of running from his record of support for the Red Line once it began to run into numerous roadblocks.  Tarte responded that he still thought it was a good project if the correct finance plan could be worked out.

However, the biggest difference may actually have come on the first question.  "What makes you the best candidate?"  Tarte fell back on his experience as an elected official.  Aneralla then pointed out that the current very successful Republican Senate majority is filled with many newcomers that have no experience in elected office.  He then outlined his experience as a party official with strong relationships as a means to get things done.  To me, that raises the question of who will be the most effective in Raleigh - the policy wonk with an electoral background or the electoral newcomer who brings a more strict conservatism to the table?

Update: Listen to the debate here at DavidsonNews.net.


Here's the twitter stream from the event...

#NCS41 Q1: What makes you best candidate?...Tarte: sites experience. Aneralla: sites latest ncsen class where most weren't elected officials.

#NCS41 Q2: How will you help small bus? Both site tax related issues.

#NCS41 Q3: How will you reduce unemployment? JT-encourage employment thru tax plcy, training. JA-training as well w focus on dropout rt

#NCS41 Q4: Supt tolls and capping gas tax? JT-Yes to both incl roads. JA-Yes to tolls on ferries & gas tax cap. No to toll roads incl I77.

#NCS41 Q5: Education question...similar answers...remove tenure and supt third grade reading requirement. .

#NCS41 Q6: Supt live dealer gambling? (which just passed legislature) Neither supports it strongly but wouldn't work to undo.

#NCS41 Q7: Should foreclosure be allowed to cover hospital bills? Both answer no.

#NCS41 - Aneralla brings up Red Line and that it is a 'gamble' : Tarte says good thing with right financial plan. Two are far apart on this.