A Cordial Race for the 3rd Congressional Seat

The candidates in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District race may be running one of the more cordial campaigns this election season. Democratic Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse is being challenged by retired Colonel Ray Boland of Sparta.

At a debate held at UW-La Crosse, Congressman Kind and Col. Boland both acknowledged that they respected one another and even agreed on some issues, like the Farm Bill and immigration reform.

But the major differences between the two come down to the economy. Kind, who’s been in office for sixteen years, says investing in education and modernizing infrastructure can help create jobs. He criticized Boland’s support of the Romney/Ryan budget, “Another $5 trillion worth of tax breaks primarily for the most wealthy, an additional $2 trillion in spending and defense, they’re not leveling with you because the math doesn’t add up.”

But Boland argues that any major spending and tax increase would be harmful to the economy, “Existing tax rates are probably high enough, we just have too much avoidance of paying the taxes and that gets you into loop holes and the need for tax reform.”

Boland and Kind also differ on their stance on health care reform. Boland says Obamacare is unaffordable where Kind says it will save money in the long term.

As former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Boland touts his military experience and says a new, long-term strategy is needed to deal with Iran. Kind on the other hand, supports the president’s strategy for the region.