GOP Western NC House candidates: agree with Trump on NATO? Stances on Mission, housing

The two candidates running for the Republican nomination for Western North Carolina's congressional seat share similar stances on the southern border (the bipartisan bill didn't go far enough), the war in Gaza (nothing should be done to stop Gazan civilian deaths) and how to boost affordable housing (reduce oil costs).

That is according to answers by 11th District incumbent, Rep. Chuck Edwards, and political newcomer Christian Reagan to questions posed by the Citizen Times in this voter guide for the U.S. House primary.

Early voting has started for the March 5 primaries that include the Republican congressional race. That contest's winner will advance to the general election facing Democrat Caleb Rudow, who had no primary opponent. The new 11th District covers the state's 15 and one-half most westerly counties, including Buncombe, Henderson and Madison.

Both Reagan and Edwards avoided answering some questions, such as if they thought problems at Mission Hospital were due at least in part to owner HCA being a for-profit company. Their differences included whether it was right for President Trump to say he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries not meeting military spending obligations. Their full answers are below.

The basics

Chuck Edwards, 63, Flat Rock, McDonald's franchise owner, real estate investor. (Three two-year terms in state Senate.)

Christian Reagan, 61, Hayesville, mortgage broker. (No prior political experience.)

Border

If you believe the southern border is in crisis, shouldn’t the U.S. House support the bi-partisan border bill in order to address at least some of the issues? Or do you agree with the decision by Senate and House GOP leaders to reverse course on this bill that Republicans once backed? What are the most important aspects of the border bill?

Reagan: I was born and raised in Texas before moving to Western Carolina. I have been dealing with illegal immigration my entire life. Securing and maintaining the border is absolutely imperative in preserving the sovereignty of our country. The cost of illegal immigration is enormous.

Since President Biden has taken office, nearly 10 million illegal aliens have crossed our borders from 117 countries. The invasion of our country has to stop! Congress needs to establish a zero-tolerance rule for these illegal actions and provide the necessary financial sources to secure the border. Those that are here illegally need to be removed immediately and returned to their own country.

Edwards: The Senate border bill fails in every policy area needed to secure our border and would incentivize more illegal immigration. It expands work authorizations for illegal aliens while failing to include critical asylum reforms. Even worse, it allows illegals to be "released from physical custody" to effectively endorse Biden’s "catch and release" policy. The so-called "shutdown" authority in the bill is anything but, riddled with loopholes that grant far too much discretionary authority to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – who has proven he will exploit every measure possible, in defiance of the law, to keep the border open. That bill fails to stop the president’s abuse of parole authority adequately and provides for taxpayer funds to fly and house illegal immigrants. The bill I support is H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which contains the necessary components to actually stem the flow of illegals and end the present crisis. The Senate should take it up immediately.

HCA/Mission

What are actionable steps Congress should take to help fix the serious deficiencies at Mission Hospital noted recently by federal regulators, including problems in the ER and nursing? Many say the trouble is due to a for-profit company, such as HCA, taking control and focusing too much on the bottom line and not enough on health. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Edwards: From the beginning, HCA misunderstood the culture of WNC and our expectations and history of quality healthcare. That misunderstanding contributed significantly to their colossal failure to serve our citizens. Their current active lawsuit and Medicare jeopardy have brought down on them the ultimate accountability, indirectly, their ability to exist. Let’s not lose sight, however, that while we have two other quality hospitals in the area, our citizens have fewer alternate choices because certificate of needs laws prevent competition, and Obamacare regulations place inordinate and costly burdens on medical providers.

Reagan: The issues related HCA/Mission are not an exception in this country. It is a growing problem that is clearly being complicated by the growing demand due to drug addiction and illegal immigration seeking emergency medical care. These two factors alone are already placing a tremendous burden upon those hospitals that are already struggling with providing medical care to their communities. The remedy for these problems must be corrected by individual states. Hospitals and medical care facilities should be held accountable by those agencies appointed to provide oversight and accountability. The oversight process should be carried out by those that are competent within the medical field and are unbiased as to their approach in providing oversight and correction within the industry.

Housing

To increase affordable housing, many Republicans support reducing government regulation. But the crisis is big enough that bi-partisan experts say it won’t be solved without robust government involvement. What types of federal government intervention would you support, such as boosting public transit near housing and adding funding for Section 8 housing vouchers?

Reagan: The federal government created the current housing crisis by recklessly increasing the national debt and its ridiculous war against the oil and gas industry. These two realties created the inflation problem that we now face as a country. It is absolutely insane to believe that the federal government has such jurisdictions within these matters, much less can resolve the problems that it clearly created. Inflation can only be resolved by eliminating the insane spending in Washington, D.C. with emphasis of investing within the energy sector of oil and gas industry. These fundamental changes will reverse the course of inflation. In time, prices will begin to decrease and by doing so will resolve housing affordability issue.

Edwards: A primary reason for the housing shortage is the nimbyism and zoning restrictions resulting from local ordinances. Local governments should allow developers to build. Another critical factor in the housing shortage is that extreme spending of Washington and Biden’s war on fossil fuels have led to record inflation of everything needed to build a home. The ensuing interest rate increases pushed home ownership further beyond reach. Washington must reduce spending and unleash American energy production. Developers say 25% of the cost of a home goes to satisfy regulations. Regulations need to be reduced at every level and more building options should be allowed as I have done with H.R. 5473, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, and H.R. 5198, the Expansion of Attainable Homeownership Through Manufactured Housing Act. I’d further suggest a good solution would be to flip your transit proposal; instead, we’d be better served were we to boost housing near public transit, not boost public transit near housing.

Gaza/Israel

Hamas radicals killed more than 1,000 Israelis, including young children, in their Oct. 7 attack. Israel’s military response has now resulted in well over 28,000 Palestinian deaths, many of whom were children. What is the immediate steps Congress should take to help stop the killing of children and non-combatants in the conflict?

Edwards: The population of Israel is 9.3 million and Hamas has called for the genocide of those people. Hamas has shown the world the evil, barbaric and cruel tactics it will deploy in that effort and they have such little regard for life that they are using innocent people as shields. This cruelty should not be allowed to exist in a world capable of stopping it. The U.S. should continue to stand with Israel as it fights yet again to simply exist.

Reagan: The Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 were absolutely horrific. The evil displayed upon that day was beyond comprehension. I support the state of Israel in its efforts to finally eradicate the terrorists among their mist. Israel has every right to defend itself. It is unfortunate that so many civilians are dying as a result of this necessary war against evil. The consequences of this war are not the result of decisions made by the victims of Oct. 7. They were clearly the result of Hamas and those that elected them as their leaders.

Ukraine/NATO

In light of the possibility that Russia could overrun Ukraine and then threaten a NATO country, do you agree with ex-President Donald Trump that if a NATO country has not met its military spending obligations the U.S. should ignore the 74-year-old treaty and not defend that country – and should even encourage Russia to attack?

Reagan: Unlike the current congressman, I do not believe for a second that Russia will threaten a NATO country. The current situation in Ukraine is a domestic dispute that has developed into a full-blown war. It could have all been avoided through diplomacy early on. I would not support any financial assistance to Ukraine. It is has become a slush fund for the global elites that are clearly using their influence to expand the war. It is unbelievable that the U.S. has invested more than a $100 billion within the effort. Absolutely insane.

Edwards: No.

More: Western NC congressman bashes Biden over immigration using Trump-era migrant caravan photo

Who is running in Asheville, Buncombe 2024 primary election? See full candidate list

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: GOP Western NC House candidate positions: agree with Trump on NATO?