Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Scott Tipton, Gail Schwartz tackle issues in Pueblo debate

PUEBLO – Third Congressional District Rep. Scott Tipton and his challenger, Gail Schwartz, argued about public lands, renewable energy and others issues before a sparse crowd at Hoag Hall on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus Thursday night.

Tipton, a three-term Republican, defended his record over six years when Schwartz accused him of doing nothing and “quietly” leaving two key congressional committees to serve on the Financial Services Committee.

“You left natural resources and agriculture, committees critical to the 3rd District,” she said.

In turn, he accused Democrat Schwartz of causing the loss of 1,100 mining jobs in the 3rd Congressional District in 2010 when, as a state senator, she helped pass a renewable energy bill.

Schwartz said the bill, SB252, has actually spurred $3.6 billion in economic activity, and renewable energy will save consumers $400 million in the next 25 years.

Tipton continued to hammer at that law.

“Union members have to take a look at her record,” he said. “The University of Colorado and The Denver Post agreed she has killed 1,100-plus coal jobs.

“That bill did not have bipartisan support, not in committee, not in the House,” he said. “If you are a union member, remember what she told those coal miners that she would stand up for them.”

He also said Schwartz did not support the construction of the Keystone Pipeline, which would have helped union members in Pueblo.

“Two fifty-two didn’t choke any jobs,” Schwartz said, returning to the coal argument. “The natural gas industry and the free market is what created the impasse in our coal industry.”

With Chieftain Managing Editor Steve Henson acting as moderator, the two sparred back and forth over those policies and what Tipton called a lie, with Schwartz’s contention that Tipton is systematically selling off public lands so energy companies can explore them.

For more on the debate, go to chieftain.com.



Reader Comments