Democrats say it was a clear victory for Doresky and on his way to a big victory.
David Cortinas/La Voz
RICHLAND, WA. – A moderate debate between John Doresky and Amanda McKinney focused on affordability, agriculture, Social Security, care, rural health care, election security, tribal sovereignty, separation of powers, tariffs and trade, immigration enforcement, and AI data centers.
Both candidates submitted opening statements, answered policy questions with district-specific implications, and shared preferred congressional committees. The program concluded with key dates for the Washington elections.
John Doresky, 24-year Air Force veteran with a combat deployment to Iraq in 2006, 13 years in civilian
service in U.S. Strategic Command and the Hanford Field Office, as well as supervision of the
Tank Waste Recovery Mission. Doresky emphasized a lifetime oath to the U.S. Constitution and
The service to the district was also committed to solving pragmatic and network-driven problems.
Amanda McKinney, Republican candidate from a multigenerational farming family in
Yakima and Kittitas Valleys, with a background in finance, helping local families reach
She served six years as a Yakima County commissioner, highlighting deep local roots and agricultural experience, where she framed the campaign as a community-driven service, with weekly returns home if elected.
Both candidates spoke about affordability and the context of the cost of living, and research from the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) cited that 94% of adults 50+ report price increases, with many cutting back on essentials like groceries.
Doresky noted that diesel up to $8.50 per gallon also linked rising costs to tariffs and a trade war that undermined an 80-year-old trade regime.
Doresky argued that tariffs should be set by Congress (Article I), not unilaterally by the executive. He cited “the war in Iran” and instability, including threats to the Strait and Red Sea such as fuel engines, fertilizer input costs and higher rates, and urged working with allies to reopen critical routes.
McKinney pointed to energy policy and regulation at the state level as the main drivers. He advocated for a return to Trump-era energy independence, including eight nuclear reactors and a pipeline for Alaska announced, as well as support for hydroelectric and nuclear power. McKinney criticized Washington’s policies (e.g., natural gas bans, reliance on solar/wind power) and “over-regulation” in the environmental and labor arenas as the cumulative cause of higher costs.
On agriculture and farm labor, issues cited: diesel and fertilizer costs, limited grazing land, concentration of input suppliers, labor availability, and unharvested crops.
McKinney called for increasing competition for inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and deregulation of farming practices (for example, he cited curing rules in the field that affect beef costs), reopening or expanding grazing lands, and expanding temporary H-2A visas for farmworkers to sectors such as dairy, with greater seasonality and interdistrict mobility.
He emphasized that H-2A workers “must return home” and that the expansion should be divided from broader immigration debates. He emphasized states’ rights and continued local participation (weekly
return home).
John Doresky emphasized building networks of experts and aligning stakeholders more than building networks of experts and aligning stakeholders
individual experience and outstanding family ties to row crop agriculture in Nebraska. It was argued that tariffs have
damage to export markets. and acknowledged state-federal regulatory frictions and supported
H-2A as a beneficial discussion cut off by time.
Both candidates spoke about Social Security’s solvency context, with the trustee’s project that the combined trust fund was depleted in 2034, and payroll taxes covered approximately 83% of scheduled benefits.
Doresky framed protection as a moral obligation, noting that 40% of the district’s beneficiaries rely solely on Social Security. It was proposed to eliminate the payroll tax cap so that all salaries pay 6.2% in contrast to an income of $50,000 at 6.2% versus one with $500,000 that effectively pays ~2% minus current limits). Doresky opposes privatization; he warns against overspending against fraud that hurts beneficiaries.
Amanda McKinney opposes cuts in benefits and prioritizes robust anti-fraud measures. The county’s COVID-era rent assistance program, in which it implemented fraud detection identified more than $6 million in fraudulent applications with 244 in Yakima County, counterattacking claims that fraud screening delayed $20 million in aid.
Election security and the SAVE Act were also discussed in the debate, with different ideas and issues related to concerns about voting.
Tariffs and defining and using trade policies: John Doresky said and called tariffs a tax on the middle class that is passed on to consumers.
Doresky supported executive control of Congress, not unilateral, urging the elimination of the executive’s extensive emergency tariff powers and reliance on committees for any urgent action.
McKinney affirmed the role of Congress but defended the president’s use of tariffs as leverage for fair trade. He argued that previous trade agreements hurt U.S. agriculture and consumers (e.g., foreign meat hurting local producers).
He debated immigration enforcement with Amanda McKinney, feeling that emphasized enforcement, linking lax law enforcement to fentanyl trafficking, cartels and risks to community safety. He criticized Washington’s sanctuary policies for prohibiting coordination between prisons and federals, forcing dangerous arrests on release; he advocated for cooperation to remove tough criminals.
John Doresky, Calling the Current Deportation Regime Immoral and Un-American Given
the economic and cultural contributions of immigrants. He opposed open borders, but criticized
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shifted agents from human trafficking to low-priority sweeps (e.g., in stores), including detentions in immigration appointments, with changing rules that sow fear.
Key Election Dates and Turnout
October 16: The 18-day voting period begins in Washington.
October 26: Deadline for voter registration by mail.
Until election day: Face-to-face registration is available.
Nov. 3: Election Day; polls close at 8 p.m.
Additional coverage and replay of debates available on Northwest Public Broadcasting
