TJ Cox and David Valadao have managed to speak on important congressional issues like COVID-19, economics and forest management. But, the first half of their hour-long debate centered on responding to the other’s campaign ads.

Cox (D-Fresno) is running for his second term against former three-term Congressman Valadao (R-Hanford) for the 21st Congressional District seat, covering parts of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties . This is a rematch of 2018, when Cox won by 862 votes.

“Lie / liar”, “false” or “dishonest” has been said at least 15 times in between. They met live on television at the KGET-17 studio in Bakersfield. The debate was also broadcast on KSEE-24 in Fresno.

On several occasions, Cox and Valadao accused the other of not delivering for the people of the Central Valley.

The only substantive issue the applicants agreed on is that better forest management is needed to prevent further devastating forest fires.

Trump loan defaults and comparisons

Responding to attack announcements that his family farm went bankrupt and was held responsible for an employee’s amputation injury to the arm, Valadao said he did the right thing and withdrew from day-to-day operations while he was in Congress. Cox didn’t do the same, Valadao said.

“Hell, he didn’t even disclose the majority of his businesses and those interests in the whole process. So following the rules, yes I did what I was supposed to do and it was a tragic accident and unfortunately someone was injured, ”said Valadao.

Cox responded by mentioning the Valadao family. Triple V Dairy no credit check loans Default. Valadao was named in the suit of the bank, which eventually took over the farm.

He then made the first of many comparisons between Valadao and President Donald Trump.

“It’s like you and Donald Trump. It’s never your fault. It is not my responsibility. It’s someone else’s. All these excuses. That’s why people started you in 2018. They’re tired of excuses, ”Cox said.

At one point, when Valadao appeared to interrupt Cox, the outgoing MP said: “Sorry, Donald. It’s my time on the floor.

The fake Tweet

Cox defended a fabricated tweet from his campaign manager, saying, “It was obvious that was a joke… Spare me the crocodile tears about it and the victimization and play the victim when you base your entire campaign. on a smear campaign, on a bunch of lies because you don’t have the record to stand on. ”

Last week, Cox campaign manager Amanda Sands edited a Tweet to make it look like Valadao retweeted Trump’s “California goes to hell” message.

She apparently touched it when she was caught.

“Leadership starts at the top with this one. And unfortunately he has been dishonest throughout his career, ”replied Valadao. “When you cheat and lie and keep twisting the truth, people have had enough.”

Discuss issues

Moderators Alexan Balekian from KSEE and Jim Scott from KGET managed to quiz candidates on substantive issues in the last half hour.

Each candidate said he was better on immigration and dreamers.

As the discussion turned to COVID, each side raised accusations that the other was not wearing a mask in public.

Related story: Who is not this masked man? Cox, Valadao Trade Charges.

Cox said he would support a second round of pandemic stimulus funding.

“We passed the Heroes Act, which provides the opportunity and the investment to do all of these things about four months ago. His party and its president, Mr. Trump, don’t want to do anything, ”Cox said.

Valadao has said he will not support a bill that contains other elements, such as cutting funds for law enforcement.

“Getting into politics and using stuff like COVID to cut law enforcement funding is right – I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s just one of the dirtiest political stuff, ”Valadao said.

Cox has said he will take a COVID vaccine when NIH director Dr.Anthony Fauci takes it. Valadao says he “was never a big fan” of vaccines, but would take it after the FDA approved it.

Climate change is an issue that Valadao has said he is breaking with Trump. Both candidates said they believe climate change is real.

Checking the facts

TJ Cox said he introduced more bills in two years than Valadao in six years. Valadao replied that Cox did not get a bill from the committee.

According to Congress.gov, Cox sponsored 24 bills and resolutions. None managed to get out of the committee. In addition, three Cox-sponsored amendments were passed to HR 987, a health care bill.

During his six years in Congress, Valadao sponsored 22 bills and resolutions. Seven passed the House and one became law, HR 624 on social security fraud.

After this article was first published, Cox’s campaign said that two of his sponsored water bills, HR 5347 and HR 5316, were included in HR 2 who passed the Chamber. They also pointed out several other bills that Cox co-sponsored or introduced that have been included in other bills passed.

Cox said Valadao did not sponsor the WIIN Act.

“See if you can find the WIIN Act (a 2016 water bill) with his name on it. You will not be able to. It was the Dianne Feinstein bill that was passed by Jim Costa and other members. The fact that there is signed. You take a lot of credit where it’s not due, ”Cox said.

Valadao accused Cox of credit hoarding.

“You literally took credit for my work with the WIIN Act. Every dollar that goes to the valley that has helped with the water infrastructure comes from the bill that I helped get enacted, ”said Valadao.

While Cox is referring to the bill known as the WIIN 2016 (S.612), so Valadao was neither a sponsor nor a co-sponsor. He voted in favor of the bill.

According to his campaign, Valadao helped negotiate on behalf of Republicans over the WIIN law. It included provisions from an earlier Valadao bill in 2015 – HR 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act – which has been approved by the House but not the Senate.

Cox said Valadao voted with Trump 99% of the time.

According to a political tracking site Five thirty-eight, the number is close, 97.9% of the time. Valadao says these numbers are inaccurate.

“It’s not a legitimate deal because they literally took a small number of votes and compared it to quite a congressional record and said, well, this is how we vote because of these 30 par. compared to the thousands. It is not an exact representation, ”said Valadao.

Valadao said Cox voted 100% with Nancy Pelosi. Cox said no.

Cox said he didn’t always vote with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) a lightning rod for Tory attacks.

According to ProPublica, Cox and Pelosi voted the same on the legislation 100% of the time in current Congress.

Valadao says he took his own party.

“I took the leadership of my own party. I signed a discharge petition, which is about the ultimate thing you can do to take charge of your own party, ”said Valadao.

In 2018, Valadao signed a discharge petition, a Congressional procedure that would force a debate – in this case on immigration – if a majority in Congress signed. Fresno Democrat Jim Costa has also signed, but the measure has not garnered enough support to move forward.