Politics & Government
Alp Basaran Wants Virtual 9th Congressional District Debate
9th Congressional District Democratic Candidate Alp Basaran is pushing for a virtual debate before the July 7 primary election.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Democratic Congressional candidate Alpaslan "Alp" Basaran wants to debate his 9th Congressional District opponents.
In a letter to incumbent Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. and fellow candidate Zinovia Spezakis, Basaran has requested a public debate to be held at a "date and time jointly agreed upon" by the three candidates.
A news release from Basaran's office states that the debate would be virtual.
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Basaran's reasoning for holding the debates in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is the idea of maintaining democratic traditions. He illustrated his point by referencing the Congressional elections held shortly after the burning of Washington in August 1814.
"The voters deserve to hear from all of us regarding our views on crucial issues presently affecting our district and our country," Basaran wrote.
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Read the letter below:
According to Basaran's website, he moved to New Jersey at age four and grew up undocumented. In the '90s, Basaran and his mother moved back to Turkey while awaiting their green cards while his father remained in New Jersey.
The family eventually received green cards, and moved to Fort Lee, where Basaran lives today.
Basaran is running on a progressive platform that includes healthcare for all, and environmental policy that looks to "transform the Green New Deal from a broad proposal to concrete policy."
Read his full list of policies here: https://alpbasaran.com/policies/
Spezakis, also the child of immigrants, is running on an environment-first platform. On her website, she states that "handling the Climate Crisis" requires a transition away from fossil fuels and the adoption of renewable energy."
Spezakis also has a Medicare for All healthcare policy.
Read Spezakis' full list of policies here: https://www.zinaforcongress.com/issues
Pascrell, the incumbent, is in his twelfth term as elected Congressman, first in New Jersey's 8th district, then the 9th after the district was reconfigured and renumbered.
Read his full list of policies here: https://pascrell.house.gov/issues/
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