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Midterm debate drives home issues of inflation and climate

Representative Blake Moore and challenger Rick Jones debate at Weber State University.
Utah Debate Commission
Representative Blake Moore and challenger Rick Jones debate at Weber State University.

Ahead of the midterm elections in November, Republican representative Blake Moore and Democratic challenger Rick Jones faced off for the house seat in Utah's 1st Congressional District.

Blake Moore and Rick Jones debated some of the most important issues facing Utahns today. Jones began the debate by addressing concerns over rising inflation and the national debt.

“I feel like the media has promoted a myth that has a kind of superficiality to it. And the main idea is that our inflation is caused by debt. We've basically had astronomical deficits for about 40 years, and there's been very little inflation,” Jones said.

Moore turned inflation’s connection to rising energy costs.

“It's gonna be increasingly more difficult to get out of this inflationary period we have if we don't get our energy costs under control,” Moore said.

Jones prioritized a transition of energy production to clean sources but also highlighted climate change as a major issue.

“Probably at some point, we'll have to do some steps to really discourage carbon consumption. But for now, we need to keep the full array of options open and make sure that the transition is well thought out,” Jones said.

Moore’s climate policy focused on how climate change is affecting Utah.

“We have to deal with things acutely in the near term, we have to be willing to look at greenhouse gas emissions over time. What can the US be doing to lead in this effort?” Moore said.

Jones’ closing remarks spoke to the importance of this year’s midterm elections.

“I really do feel like we're at a very unique juncture in our history, and very much democracy is on the ballot,” he said.

While Moore closed with a commitment to Utahns.

“I'll always have a focus on what the needs of the district, what the needs of Utah are,” he said.

Voters across the state have until October 28th to register to vote in the November 8th midterm elections.

Anna grew up begging her mom to play music instead of public radio over the car stereo on the way to school. Now, she loves radio and the power of storytelling through sound. While she is happy to report on anything from dance concerts to laughter practice, her main focus at UPR is political reporting. She is studying Journalism and Political Science at Utah State University and wants to work in political communication after she graduates. In her free time, she spends time with her rescue dog Quigley and enjoys rock climbing.