9th District candidates spar in Jasper

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

JASPER — Candidates in the 9th Congressional District disagreed last night on the minimum wage, health insurance and Social Security in their last debate before Tuesday's election.

Incumbent Republican Mike Sodrel, Democrat Baron Hill, Libertarian Eric Schansberg and write-in candidate Donald Mantooth met on stage at the Jasper Arts Center for a 90-minute debate, including an hour that was televised throughout the district.

Hill and Sodrel are locked in a battle that observers say is too close to call.

Sodrel told an audience of about 600 that he supports eliminating the federal minimum wage, saying the issue should be a state one.

"I frankly do not believe a federal minimum wage can be fair to workers across the United States," he said. "I can tell you from living in Washington, D.C. -- your money (there) is worth about 40 cents on the dollar."

But Hill, who served six years in Congress before Sodrel defeated him two years ago, said he supports an increase in the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years.

"It's one of the fundamental differences between me and Congressman Sodrel," Hill said. A wage increase "is not a complete solution, but it's offering some hope to people that they can raise the income for their families."

Read more on the debate at the Courier-Journal.com