Senate Candidates Tammy Baldwin and Leah Vukmir Butt Heads at the First Debate

Senate candidates Tammy Baldwin and Leah Vukmir butted heads on nearly every topic at the first of three U.S. Senate debates held on UW-Milwaukee’s campus on Oct. 8.

The candidates pointed fingers as they argued back and forth over issues including healthcare, immigration, equal pay, veteran’s rights, tariffs and gun violence. An issue that sparked especially heated statements from both parties and roars from the audience was abortion.

“The arms and legs of a baby are pulled out of their mother,” Vukmir said. “The brain is sucked out, that is vile.”

Besides her graphic description of abortion, Vukmir, a former nurse, made it clear that she is “100%” pro-life, a stance that completely opposes Baldwin’s.

“I support a woman’s right to choose,” Baldwin said, “I don’t believe the government should interfere with a woman’s health or whether she should have a child. I also believe that my opponent is very extreme about this issue.”

The debate was held at the Peck School of the Art’s Mainstage Theater on Oct. 8. The second debate was held in Wausau on Oct. 13 and the third and final debate was hosted by Marquette University on Oct. 19.

Baldwin is ahead with 52 percent to Vukmir’s 42 percent of the votes, according to Real Clear Politics. UW-Milwaukee’s Helene Zelazo Center for the performing Arts is hosting early voting until election day on Nov 6.

When the hot topic of healthcare was addressed, both Democrat Baldwin and Republican Vukmir made jabs at one another over their policies. When Baldwin discussed her $32 trillion healthcare plan, Vukmir fired off by calling it “Baldwin-care” and even insinuated that her opposer was lying.

“Doing nothing would cost more,” Baldwin said.

“She is lying to the people of the state,” Vukmir said, “Who are you going to trust?”

As the moderators continued the debate to immigration, Vukmir said she sides with President Donald Trump and believes the wall should be built. Baldwin said she has different plans in mind.

“Vote yes on a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration bill,” Baldwin said.

The topic of veterans’ rights stirred up controversy when Vukmir, whose son is in the Army, brought up the Tomah situation, where it was claimed that Baldwin was involved in not responding quickly enough to information about the deaths of multiple veterans who were overprescribed opioids.

“I think that Leah should be ashamed of herself for using a Marine veteran’s death for her own political gain,” Baldwin said.

Whereas Vukmir preferred not to answer yes or no when asked whether she agrees with equal pay between the genders, Baldwin said she “strongly” supports the pay equity act.

“Women in my office get equal pay for equal work,” Baldwin said.

“Lies!” could be heard from spurts of supporters wearing red in the audience after many of Baldwin’s statements.

Although there was an obvious division between supporters, frequent audience outbursts, despite efforts to quiet them from the moderators, solidified the separation in opinions.

“The political stances of both candidates couldn’t be much further apart, and I suspect this debate did little to convince supporters of either candidate to switch sides,” moderator Mitch Teich said.

It was clear that some audience members weren’t pleased with the how the candidates handled themselves during the debate. From constantly verbally attacking their opponent to going over their time limits, there was a lot to be said about their debate tactics.

“A debate is a job interview,” UW-Milwaukee senior Zen Johnston said. “And, I’m sorry, but the position has filled, and Leah’s services will not be required.”

In their closing statements, Baldwin said that she is on the side of Wisconsinites. Vukmir decided to leave a lasting impression.

“Senator Baldwin is far more comfortable with her friends in the Hamptons than she is at a Friday night fish-fry in Wisconsin,” Vukmir said.

While Vukmir left without speaking to any press, Baldwin took the time to share some of her thoughts.

“The tone was unfortunately…well, it was just unfortunate,” Baldwin said, “I was frustrated to say the least.”