- The Cherokee Scout live-streamed the 90-minute debate on its Facebook page, where you can watch the entire video.
Brasstown – U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C., District 11) and challenger Christian Reagan of Hayesville squared off at the Brasstown Community Center on Saturday in the only candidate forum that will be held between the two.
The event was sponsored by the Clay County Republican Party and filled the Brasstown Community Center to capacity, despite frigid temperatures outside.
Edwards is a Henderson County Republican completing his first term in Congress after defeating previous incumbent Madison Cawthorn in the 2022 Republican primary and winning with 53 percent of the vote in the 2022 general election. Prior to being elected to Congress, Edwards represented the 48th district in the N.C. Senate from 2016-23.
Reagan, a Texas native, was a mortgage broker and businessman before retiring and moving to Hayesville. He has no previous political experience and describes himself as a MAGA – Make America Great Again – Republican.
The Saturday debate, moderated by Hayesville attorney and local GOP vice president Larry Ford, was generally peace-ful, although not without its moments.
At one point, Edwards bridled at Reagan lumping him in with Washington elites. Reagan first denied calling Edwards “elite,” then apologized.
Edwards warned the audience that the best hope for America is for the Republican Party to take control of the House, Senate and White House. Reagan described the 2024 election year as the “last, best hope for America.”
Reagan dressed the part of a Texas native, wearing boots, jeans, a Western-cut shirt and a white cowboy hat. Edwards wore slacks, a checkered shirt and dark blue vest adorned with his congressional patch.
Edwards stood throughout the debate, while Reagan stood when responding to moderator questions. Edwards mentioned several times that Reagan was from Texas.
Questions ranged from congressional insider trading and social media, to border security and global politics.
Edwards focused on President Joe Biden and the Democrat-controlled Senate, blaming them for the majority of the nation’s problems. He said House Republicans can do more if Democrats lose control of the Senate in November.
Reagan talked about the nation’s growing debt and massive expenditures to maintain U.S. military and naval forces around the world.
They disagreed about social media, which Edwards said is being weaponized by the Biden Administration, whereas Reagan called social media a matter of free speech.