Jeffrey Allred, Deseret News via pool

U.S. Senate candidates Becky Edwards and Ally Isom called out incumbent Sen. Mike Lee for his on-stage absence and much more during Thursday evening’s debate held by the Utah Debate Commission.

Debate moderator Doug Wilks, executive editor of the Deseret News, announced on stage and previously that Lee had declined to participate. The debate comes just one day after all three candidates sparred in a debate hosted by the Utah Republican Party.

In Isom’s opening speech, she mentioned hearing about little to no support for Lee from members of the public. Edwards, a former member of the Utah House, said Lee’s lack of appearance at the debate is a show of disrespect to the people of Utah. Both gave promises of being more involved within Utah communities than Lee, if elected.

Both candidates used the time to discuss gun safety, energy independence, inflation and more.

Like in the previous congressional debates hosted by the commission, the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas — and gun safety and regulations — was a prominent topic.

Jeffrey Allred, Deseret News via pool

Candidates were asked directly what they would do to eliminate gun violence.

Isom, a former staffer for Gov. Gary Herbert, discussed expanding background checks, creating red flag laws “that work,” and addressing the culture of violence within the country. Edwards also agreed that expanding background checks would be a good idea, along with creating more support for mental and behavioral health, and firearm safety education.

Isom said she would be in favor increasing the legal age to purchase a weapon from 18 to 21 years old.

“I would argue that it is probably a good idea to look at the age limit. I would also support background checks and looking at red flag laws,” she said. “I also like Maine’s yellow flag law because it brings in healthcare professionals into the conversation, but again I want to see a practical scenario where they actually work.”

Isom added that more specificity is needed when discussing banning assault rifles because the term “gets thrown around loosely.”

Jeffrey Allred, Deseret News via pool

Edwards believes that reg flag laws work best at the state level, and that the federal government should have conversations to support each state’s rights on the issue.

“I really believe that supporting the Second Amendment and addressing firearm safety are not mutually exclusive — so the things you’ve mentioned of increasing the age to 21, background checks, extended background checks, red flag laws and assault weapons — these are all things that absolutely have a place in our discussions,” Edwards said.

Since the U.S. is no longer receiving oil from Russia, Wilks asked if the candidates would support reopening the Keystone XL pipeline, halted by President Joe Biden, which would ideally allow the U.S. to receive 900,000 barrels of oil from Canada each day.

Edwards said she would rather reopen the pipeline than import goods from neighboring countries that are “bad players.” She mentioned the need for more long-term planning with far-reaching decisions.

“In the Utah Basin, for example, we have some of the cleanest product that is out there in terms of natural gas and oil, and those products are going to be around for a long time, and they were going to play a role in our energy independence here in our state,” Edwards said. “In our country is some of the cleanest — we have what we need to support that industry, and in addition, we need to have some strategic investments around renewable energy.”

Jeffrey Allred, Deseret News via pool

Isom also said she would support reopening the pipeline. She believes America is in a vulnerable position and it is crucial for the U.S. to obtain energy dominance, not just independence.

“I support American energy leadership globally. We have to reestablish ourselves,” Isom said.

Both candidates were also asked how they planned on combatting nationwide inflation.

Edwards said this is one of the biggest places where members of Congress are not doing their jobs.

“You know it’s been since 1998 that we’ve actually passed this budget in the United States? That is not OK. The spending that has continued to flourish and grow exponentially since that time puts a burden on small businesses and families across this nation that is almost unbearable,” she said.

Isom made a similar statement, that government needs to stop printing “Monopoly money” and pass a budget reduction plan.

“Congress has failed time and time and time again,” she said. “Take a look at the last 12 years. Take a look at the national debt, and tell me what Mike Lee has done to reduce that debt you have?”

In their closing statements, Isom and Edwards were able to tell viewers what their main goals would be, if elected to the U.S. Senate. Edwards said she will focus on energy independence, immigration and federal spending. Isom said she would address the economy, water concerns and energy leadership.

Balloting ends for the GOP primary on June 28. The winner of the Republican primary will face Independent Evan McMullin, who has the backing of the Utah Democratic Party.

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