Welch and Malloy face off in first debate

MANCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) - Candidates for Vermont’s U.S. Senate seat hit the debate stage Thursday.

The event hosted by VT Digger invited the candidates to Manchester. It’s the first time Democratic candidate Peter Welch and Republican Candidate Gerald Malloy have faced off this campaign season. Congressman Welch is looking to fill Senator Patrick Leahy’s open seat. Malloy is an army vet and a businessman.

The two debated over topics including reforms to the supreme court, their stance on the COVID vaccine, and immigration. Both pitched to Vermonters why they should get your vote.

“It’s stated with some humility - is that I am in the best position to be there - the voice for Vermont where we respect democracy, where we respect people with whom we disagree and we find a way to work it out and protect and preserve the constitution of this country,” Welch said,

“Our country is going in the wrong direction and when I looked at Senator Leahy retiring, I campaigned all across Vermont, and Vermonters want change,” Malloy said.

One topic they did agree on was having the F-35s based in Burlington.

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