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In their first appearance on the same stage, the six largely unknown Democrats seeking to represent the Lehigh Valley in Congress next year began Tuesday to define their positions and their approach to the job. Their answers during an hourlong debate organized by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce — which will air beginning Monday on WFMZ-TV’s “Business Matters” program — showed few major disagreements. They outlined similar stances on revising gun laws, reducing defense spending and coming together as a party. But several candidates sought to draw distinctions over immigration, contrasting their views against that of Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, a longtime outspoken critic of illegal immigration. Business Matters tapes debate that will air on April 9th and 16th at 7:30 pm. Morganelli said he was prompted to speak out on the issue after complaints from labor unions in the 1990s that “people here illegally” were taking their jobs as carpenters, painters and asbestos workers. He added that he believes in border security and a process for people to enter the country legally, as well as supporting the expiring federal policy Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, which protects those brought to the U.S. illegally as children from being deported. “We have to have borders, but we have to have compassion for certain people who are here,” Morganelli said. Former Allentown solicitor Susan Wild and Allentown pastor Greg Edwards both sought to critique Morganelli on the issue: Wild said it is “wrong to paint immigrants with the brush that John has mentioned,” while Edwards said words like “illegal alien” dehumanize people. Morganelli, however, didn’t back down on choosing the words “illegal alien.” “That’s the terminology that is used in the federal statutes. I didn’t just make that up. It’s part of our law,” Morganelli said, adding that he’s a law-enforcement officer and will enforce the law. Edwards responded that there have “been times in our nation’s history when we have called out people by a name and dehumanized them and simply because it’s … in writing doesn’t make it humane or American.” All of the candidates except Morganelli said they supported a pathway to citizenship for those here illegally. Easton City Councilman and Lafayette College engineering professor Roger Ruggles described current immigration laws as “archaic.” Rick Daugherty, executive director of Lehigh Valley Active Life in Allentown, and David Clark, a Catasauqua resident who also ran for Congress in the 1990s, both said they support citizenship for those in the DACA program. Daugherty said others in the country illegally could get an alternative form of legal status. “The legal status would protect our workers so they can’t undercut our employees, our workers and union members, and they should be paying a fine because they did break the law,” Daugherty said. While his opponents sought to contrast him as the odd man out, Morganelli emphasized his decades of supporting fellow Democratic candidates as well as his record of hiring women and minorities in the Northampton County district attorney’s office. “You may not always agree with me, but I will always listen and will be a representative who you won’t be embarrassed by,” Morganelli said. Others also sought to define themselves to voters who may not have even heard their names. Wild described herself as someone who would use her skills as an attorney to help families. Edwards said he’d build on his social advocacy work to push for more equality. Daugherty said he would help seniors by focusing on Social Security and Medicare. Clark emphasized his concerns with the Trump administration and the role that money from interest groups like the conservative Koch brothers plays in national politics, calling for reforms to the campaign finance system. As a professor, Ruggles said he understands the power of education in solving societal problems. He said he would work on reducing student debt and touted his time as a Fulbright scholar and volunteer abroad as shaping his understanding of how United States’ global influence has eroded. “This is coming back to get us with the immigration issues,” Ruggles said. The wide field of candidates is competing to succeed retiring Republican Charlie Dent in what’s now known as the 7th Congressional District. After a legal battle over Pennsylvania’s congressional boundaries, the 7th District covers Lehigh and Northampton counties and part of southern Monroe County. The district has been held by a Republican since 1999, but given its new boundaries and a national political atmosphere favoring Democrats, the 7th District is one of several Pennsylvania congressional seats poised to potentially flip parties. That possibility prompted questions from moderator and Chamber President Tony Iannelli about the message and strategies the party should focus on in this year’s elections. Edwards advocated pushing a more progressive policy agenda, bemoaning that the party previously “has left too much of its power on the table.” Many of the candidates specifically called for party unity, with Wild cautioning that Democrats may blow their chances if they aren’t united. One area where the candidates had near unanimity was on revising gun laws. All of the candidates except for Daugherty called for reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons. Daugherty said he favored restricting access to those weapons and pushed for legislation like “red flag” laws, which would allow family members and law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily seize guns from someone who may be a threat. Morganelli, who touted the “F” rating he once got from the National Rifle Association, reminded the audience that in the 1990s he called for the Parents Responsible Gun Ownership Act. Under the proposal, gun owners living with children or someone who is mentally ill have an obligation to keep that gun secure or face criminal charges if the weapon winds up part of a crime. Edwards called for universal background checks, home safety checks of owners of multiple firearms, and registration of every firearm. On foreign policy, the candidates said President Donald Trump has alienated traditional allies. They expressed support for programs supporting military personnel and veterans, but overall said defense spending is too bloated. “Our defense budget is really nothing more than an entitlement program for defense contractors,” Wild said. On the federal budget more broadly, Clark called for a graduated income tax, saying under such a plan he would cut loopholes used by wealthy corporations. “What will it do? They’ll just cry, that’s all. It’s not going to kill jobs,” Clark said. A second forum featuring Republicans Dean Browning and Marty Nothstein was initially planned for Tuesday. Organizers hope to reschedule after Nothstein canceled, citing a scheduling conflict. WHERE TO WATCH THE DEBATE The Democratic forum will air on WFMZ-TV's "Business Matters" program in two half-hour segments on consecutive Mondays - April 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce also is working to reschedule a forum featuring the two Republican candidates for the 7th Congressional District, Marty Nothstein and Dean Browning. Nothstein's campaign canceled Tuesday's appearance, citing a scheduling conflict. Read the original article here.