Democratic U.S. Rep Angie Craig and Republican challenger Joe Teirab clashed over several hot-button campaign issues during two recent debates as they worked to distinguish themselves for voters.
MPR News hosted the initial Second Congressional District debate Oct. 4 and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce held the second and final face-off Monday in Lakeville. Thomas Bowman, who is running as a “constitutional conservative” in the hotly contested race, did not participate in either debate.
Teirab is a political newcomer and Craig is seeking a fourth term. Here are four ways they differ and one thing they agree on.
Abortion
Craig has drawn attention to Teirab’s opposition to abortion, including answers he gave in a survey from Minnesotans Concerned for Life. Teirab answered the survey that, if he was elected, he would not support legislation to weaken anti-abortion laws on the books nationwide.
“What Joe has done is pledged that he would do nothing to stop those states from banning abortion, even in the case of rape or incest,” Craig said.
She also criticized Teirab for serving on the board of what she called a crisis pregnancy center — organizations that steer women facing unplanned pregnancies away from abortion to other options.
Teirab has defended his work with what he calls a pregnancy resource center, saying his mother utilized it when she learned she was pregnant with him. He’s accused Craig of using abortion as a political “wedge issue.”
“I’m against a federal ban, this is not a federal issue, this is a state issue,” Teirab said.