IL congressional candidate debate held at SIU

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Residents of Illinois’ 12th Congressional District had a chance to hear from their three candidates before this upcoming election.

The debate was a closed-set event on the Carbondale campus at Southern Illinois University on Tuesday, Oct. 23. It’ll air on WSIU Public Television and KFVS12.com.

It started at 7 p.m. between U.S Representative Mike Bost (R), Brendan Kelly(D), and Randy Auxier (G).

I'm telling you you're not gonna have an option,” said Bost. “When you get there. You're going to end up voting for Nancy Pelosi unless she gives you a pass. You will not be able to carry legislation she'll hold that up. Because when you turn on your parties leadership they have that power.”

“It offends me and it disappoints me and it's bad for the people of southern Illinois to think this is the way it has to be,” said Kelly. “This is the reason the country is suffering because everyone just salutes their leadership and says I’m gonna do what you tell me to do.”

“What’s going on in Washington is not working for southern Illinois,” said Auxier. “It’s not working for two reasons. One is the Republicans the other is the Democrats. I don’t think you can keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”

A New York Times, Siena College Poll conducted between October 18-22 shows Bost with a 9-point lead over Kelly.

As pollsters were reaching out to likely voters in the 12th District news broke that President Trump plans to visit southern Illinois to support Bost.

The candidates were asked questions from three different reporters from three different publications over the course of 90 minutes.

Jak Tichenor, a political reporter for WSIU said that the race for Illinois 12th District could be considered a toss up race.

“I think the real focus of Presidents Trump’s visit will be to try to excite Republicans to come out to the polls,” he said. “Most people have already made up their minds how they are going to vote. I think that’s the real potential benefit for Mike Bost.”

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