GOP 8th district candidates debate the issues

BELLEVUE - Each of the three Republican candidates is in this race for a different reason. But they all agree unemployment and the struggling economy are key issues that need addressing.

Current State Representative Roger Roth believes confidence needs to be restored in the economy before it can flourish.

"If we want to get this economy moving forward again we've got to extend the tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year because the worst thing you can do, I don't believe there's an economist out there that believes raising taxes in the midst of a recession is going to improve the economy," said Roth.

Former state representative Terri McCormick says government doesn't create the jobs, but it sets in place the environment for job growth.

"The U.S. House needs to stop finger point on both sides of the aisle we need to work together to reduce taxes. JFK and Ronald Reagan had it right you can't invest in the economy when taxes continue to rise," said McCormick.

Candidate Reid Ribble sees a big part of the economic problem facing small businesses like his coming from government regulations.

"We've got a regulation nightmare, nearly one million pages of new regulations between the state of Wisconsin and federal government in the last decade," said Ribble. "Regulation is the number one job killer in this country and it's not because we have too little it's because we have too much."

All three candidates believe their backgrounds offer up the change, they say, that is needed in Washington.

Ribble as a first time politician.

"I think the timing is right for citizens to stand up and go and govern for a while," said Ribble.

McCormick as a three term assembly woman.

"Both political parties have not stepped forward and delivered on their promises we need someone who has the track record of doing just that," said McCormick.

And Roth as a legislator and Iraq war veteran.

"I have the proven experience both in small business, both in the military and both in the legislature. To go up against Steve Kagen to defeat him and then go out to Washington to actually get something done," said Roth.

FOX 11 will have more from the debate at Midwest Communications this weekend on FOX 11 News.