By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH

MANCHESTER, NH – U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas, D-NH of Manchester, and former Republican Executive Councilor and State Senator Russell Prescott of Kingston met for the final time Wednesday evening during a WMUR-TV debate focused primarily on economic and foreign policy issues discuss.

Both are small business owners in southern New Hampshire who have differing views on energy production, abortion, Ukraine, Israel, gun issues and cannabis, among other issues discussed during the hour-long debate.

Prescott said the most important thing is to be a person of integrity, he is a family man, has been in business for 40 years and urged voters to consider his personality and record when deciding who to vote for.

Pappas said he respects Prescott but didn’t hear many answers during the debate to questions that concern working families today.

He said Prescott supports many causes that instead benefit the wealthy and said there is a big difference between the two on a woman’s right to choose, which Pappas supports.

Pappas said he was able to gain insight into the staffing issues through a payroll and payroll statement.

He said addressing the child care crisis is important to getting more people into the workforce. He said he has been working on education efforts to get more people into the workforce.

Asked about sweeping tariffs, Prescott said he would oppose any efforts to do so, as former President Donald Trump suggested, if Trump were elected to another term.

Pappas acknowledged that President Joe Biden has left in place a number of Trump tariffs, but said each needs to be considered individually.

He talked about New Hampshire companies like NEMO and Revision Energy that have been negatively impacted by the tariffs.

As for the energy mix, Pappas said he would like to see a mix of renewables and more domestic sources could help, while Prescott said he would support more domestic natural gas infrastructure here to allow options for foreign oil.

On the issue of abortion, Prescott was asked if he had given up his pro-life beliefs. He said he would not strip the state of its abortion rights under the Constitution. He said he would not vote for abortion laws in Washington.

Pappas was asked whether there is a limit to a viable fetus in an abortion.

Pappas said he believes women should make their own decisions and that the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade was wrong.

“Insurance is not enough here,” said Pappas. Women deserve “bodily autonomy.”

“I appreciate your position, but it is wrong,” Prescott said. “I believe in states’ rights,” he said.

Pappas said he has yet to meet a woman who would want a politician in the room with her and her doctor to address these personal reproductive issues.

On illegal immigration, Pappas said people should be deported immediately if they break the law. He said any change in border policy was thwarted by Congress and Republicans who listened to former Republican President Donald Trump, who did not want change as a political tool for another term.

Prescott said mass deportations of illegal immigrants are necessary to enforce the law and could be a deterrent to further illegal immigration.

Otherwise, Prescott said, it’s fine to “follow the rules.”

Regarding the war between Israel and Gaza, Pappas said the US should not withhold aid to Israel and should support humanitarian aid.

Prescott said that when the country prepares its budget, it must take into account the country’s biggest ally, Israel.

“We have to make sure we stand with them,” he said.

Asked about Ukraine, Prescott said he would vote “no” to more aid if the U.S. didn’t address its domestic needs first.

He said we should stand by them as long as possible, but with strict budgeting that protects our needs first.

Pappas said the $175 billion the U.S. gave to Ukraine is an important investment and future assistance is something we must provide with other allies.

“They are fighting hard,” he said, demanding not soldiers but money and weapons systems. This enables jobs here in the development of those systems that can be sent to Ukraine.

Mass shootings were also discussed.

Pappas said the country is not incapable of reducing these tragedies.

He said there are things that can be done consistent with Second Amendment rights.

When it comes to tuition reimbursement, Prescott said people should be sure they’re attending a college they can afford before they go, and if the federal government wants to pay off student debt, that’s the wrong thing to do .

When asked about cannabis legalization, Prescott said it is not time for the nation to legalize cannabis but to make it a state issue.

The election will take place on November 5th.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.