Take 2 Podcast: US Senate candidate Becky Edwards on gun laws, racism, inflation, abortion

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guest: Becky Edwards

BECKY EDWARDS- US SENATE CANDIDATE ON BUFFALO SHOOTING, RACISM, INFLATION, ABORTION

Utah’s primary election gets underway in 21 days as ballots start arriving in mailboxes with the deadline to turn in your ballot June 28th.

Becky Edwards, a former Utah House member who served for 10 years is running to replace Senator Mike Lee. She, Ally Isom and Lee all collected the 28,000 signatures needed to get on the primary ballot.

Edwards sat down today to talk about the issues of the day including the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York that claimed the lives of ten innocent people.

President Biden was in Buffalo today, talking to the family members of the ten people who lost their lives in a race-based mass shooting at a neighborhood grocery store.

Biden called on Americans to reject the hate that fueled the deaths of so many saying, “Now’s the time for people of all races, from every background, to speak up as a majority and American and reject white supremacy.”

RACISM IN AMERICA

On social media and in major newspapers editorial boards have blamed Republicans for stoking the normalization of white supremacy in the aftermath of the shooting.

Edwards, a longtime Republican believes the Buffalo mass shooting is not the norm.

“I believe this is an outlier situation but as a community and as a country when we see this speech and hate speech and rhetoric that rises to the level of being dangerous, we need to call it out when we see it address it and be honest. We have to.”

On the issue of mass shootings, Edwards said there is no one right way to make them end.

Edward notes that “each one of us can play a part in prevention of these kinds of attacks” adding “they are heartbreaking. And you are right at the end of each one we think, man, maybe this is the last, maybe there’s something unique that led to this, and we won’t see this again, but over and over we see that’s not true.”

Her comprehensive approach would include mental health supports, looking at the way we deal with hate speech and, and earlier forms of bullying that our kids are experiencing in schools. Legislation she says can be a part of a way forward along with firearm safety.

GUN LAWS

When asked about gun control legislation she said she supports the 2nd Amendment.

INFLATION

On the issue of inflation: “If we don’t have it, let’s not spend it.” She does not however support the way Senator Mike Lee has taken a stand against massive spending bills. This week he voted with nine other GOP senators against a $40 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine saying the larger spending packaged was misguided and lacked oversight. Lee offered an amendment that would target the aid. “My amendment will ensure we can help our friends without compromising our constitutional or financial integrity.”

Edwards disagrees with Lee’s approach saying “long before you get to the place where you are voting for the bill, you make your, principles known. You are engaged in the formation of the legislation.” Adding “at the end of the day, a, a no vote is, is not useful in advancing anything. It does not advance fiscal responsibility.”

ABORTION

Following the leaked draft from the Supreme Court, Edwards said she sees “no compelling reason to overturn Roe V Wade.” She also supports states having their own interpretation – though she did not say how the state’s rights would fit in if Roe V Wade stands as is.

You can listen to the full conversation here or on your favorite podcast platform. Search “Take 2” with Heidi Hatch.

They discuss the upcoming debates, why she refused to drop out when challenger Ally Isom asked her to do so and much more.KUTV has been sitting down one on with each U.S. Senate Candidate to help voters decide who best can represent the state in Washington D.C.

Senator Mike Lee

Ally Isom