SPANISH FORT — Citizens attended the District 32 runoff candidate debate Monday night between GOP contenders Randy McKinney and Lee “Trip” Pittman.

The debate was held at The Gathering Place where candidates took to the stage to fill the spot vacated by Bradley Byrne.

The debate was sponsored by The League of Women Voters in Baldwin County and emceed by Pat Laraway, incoming League of Women Voters in Baldwin County president.

Using nonpartisan guidelines, the two candidates were given the opportunity to respond to questions about current legislation and concerns from submitted questions by residents.

In his opening statement, McKinney stressed how important family is to him, his ties with the community, and the importance of learning both sides of issues to benefit Baldwin County and the state of Alabama.

Pittman said he believes in effective leadership, fiscal responsibility, protection of rivers and streams, good infrastructure and insurance competition to make sure insurance is more affordable.

In regards to immigration, Pittman said “Illegal immigrants should be deported, not rewarded.”

Verifiable identification would help protect citizens and businesses, he said adding that illegal immigrants put a lot of pressure on the education and judicial systems.

Immigrants should also be required to learn English before they become citizens, Pittman said.

McKinney praised U.S. Sen. (R-AL) Jeff Sessions’ efforts to stand firm about having secure borders.

McKinney said illegal immigrants are not only taxing the medical field, they are also taxing law enforcement. He wants to see a “get tough” policy.

Regarding foreign imports, Pittman said free trade is essential but it needs to be dealt with carefully as restriction of trade could cause an increase in prices.

McKinney said regulatory agencies have been “lax” and should do their job.

He would like to see more involvement at the point of origin, following the food line prior to packaging and tougher testing measures.

McKinney said many people are “in shock” by the recent ad valorem tax. He believes that residents of Baldwin County should have to prove the certainty of the price that was paid. He said the ad valorem tax should have an appraisal and assessment every four years.

Pittman said that accuracy is important to be able to tax fairly. He also agreed with McKinney that a four year appraisal and an increase of 2 to 3 percent, based on housing costs, with smaller increases, should be implemented.

The Alabama flat tax of 5 percent needs to be shifted away from food purchases and some drugs and medicines, he said.

Both McKinney and Pittman are against PAC to PAC (political action committees) transfers.

“We should know who it [the money] is coming from,” McKinney said.

McKinney, a member in a realtor PAC, said he wants the public to know what PACs are — people uniting for a common cause and who donate money to that cause.

Pittman said he will not take PAC money and wants a limit on PAC money.

Possible reasonable approaches to business and property insurance for hazardous storm zones and denial of water claims was presented by both candidates.

Pittman said any long term decision would greatly affect the county and state.

His outline included long term insurance reform, better building codes and electing the insurance chairman by popular vote is needed.

McKinney said two important issues are affordability and availability of insurance for citizens.

He wants to make sure insurance companies stay in the market. McKinney said risk assessments should be reasonable and certain areas should not be left out of insurance coverage.

Regarding the tax on food in Alabama, McKinney said there is now $2 billion in the Educational Trust Fund from the past two years.

He would like to see a “reduction in tax on food, but the powerful lobby won’t allow it,” he said.

Paul Hubbert will not let anyone take the tax away from the ETF, so the power structure there has to be broken, McKinney said. Hubbert is the Alabama Education Association’s Executive Secretary.

Pittman, who called Hubbert “an 800 pound gorilla” at the debate, said he would like to see the tax on food removed, but not all at once.

The run-off between the GOP contenders will be held Sept. 11. The Senate race will be held Oct. 16. Democrat A.J. Cooper, Jr. will run against the winner of the run off. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.