California State University, Stanislaus and the League of Women Voters hosted California’s 10th District Congressional Candidate Forum in Snider Hall on Oct. 1. The open forum featured incumbent U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R) and former NASA Astronaut Jose Hernandez (D) addressing hard-hitting issues and why voters should mark their name on the November ballot.
The candidates addressed 19 questions inquiring their approach to both local and federal issues. Denham, a Turlock resident and local farmer and Hernandez, a Valley native, did come to agreement on one topic: the importance of agriculture and water in the Valley.  
“The Valley is the size of most states and we’ve got big problems here,” Denham said. “It’s going to take bipartisan leadership to be able to solve those problems.”  
Despite rules to remain silent during the discussion, audience members frequently interrupted with praise and disapproval for the candidates. Candidates also exchanges accusations, Hernandez questioned Denham’s traveling expenses and Denham slammed Hernandez for not voting in 13 elections.
The opinions and approaches to issues expressed by Hernandez and Denham stayed true to their party lines, especially in areas such as abortion rights, gay marriage, immigration, health care and more government versus less government.
Both candidates supported Pell grants, federal financial aid awarded to eligible students in higher education. Regarding U.S. tax reform, Hernandez blamed Bush taxes for the current economic predicament and said he was a strong opponent to tax breaks.
“I don’t want our country to just recover solely on the back of the middle income families. Everybody has to pay their fair share of taxes.”
Denham called for a fair system with no loopholes, showing the exact amount paid, for both individuals and businesses.
“If you make 10 times more than I do, you ought to pay 10 times more in taxes.”
Denham explained that he has a proven track record, representing the area for eight years in the State Senate and nearly two in Congress. Throughout the forum, he stressed the idea that bipartisan coalition is imperative to reaching any solution and gave examples of the work in progress everyday in Washington to fight for Valley rights.
“Big issues on the line… and it’s going to take some real strong leadership,” Denham said. “Somebody that’s willing to work with both sides of the aisle, whether its popular or not. Somebody who’s gonna offer real world solutions. I’m proud to do that.”
Hernandez said he was prompted to run for Congress after returning to a “completely transformed valley in 2010, filled with mortgage foreclosure, high unemployment and no attention to help. His focus, if elected, is on jobs and education.
“I’m a citizen politician,” Hernandez said. “I’m someone that you would probably say, wait he doesn’t have experience, why is he running for Congress?” Well again, if you look at the folks that are up there right now, I’m here to tell you, it’s not rocket science. I think I can figure it out.”