Arkoosh, Labrador clash in statewide Idaho attorney general’s debate – Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho’s two candidates for legal professional common accused one another of trying to politicize the workplace throughout a statewide televised debate Monday. 

Democrat Tom Arkoosh opened the talk alleging his Republican opponent Raúl Labrador would flip the legal professional common’s workplace right into a political workplace that will deny ladies well being care, defund the training system and ban books. 

“I wish to run a regulation workplace, and I believe my opponent desires to run a cultural warfare room,” Arkoosh mentioned. 

Labrador denied the accusation, saying he would by no means put politics above the rule of regulation. Labrador did say he would aggressively defend insurance policies and legal guidelines the Idaho Legislature passes and hopes to companion with legislators in drafting payments and legal guidelines in order that they aren’t thrown out in courtroom.

“It’s fairly clear that the individuals of Idaho are on the lookout for a robust, aggressive, conservative legal professional common that can defend the individuals of Idaho,” Labrador mentioned.

The reside, hourlong legal professional common’s debate occurred at Idaho Public Tv’s Boise studio and marked the second of 4 Idaho Debates, which can all be broadcast throughout the state within the lead as much as the Nov. 8 common election.

Labrador is an legal professional by commerce who served 4 phrases in the USA Home of Representatives after serving within the Idaho Legislature. Born in Puerto Rico, Labrador was the primary Hispanic member of Idaho’s congressional delegation. 

Arkoosh is a companion at Arkoosh Regulation Workplace who has greater than 44 years of authorized expertise. He has labored in civil, legal, business and water sources regulation. Arkoosh has additionally labored as a county prosecutor and within the Washington Legal professional Common’s Workplace. 

Labrador defeated incumbent Legal professional Common Lawrence Wasden within the Might 17 major election, whereas Arkoosh entered the race after unique Democratic nominee Steven Scanlin withdrew his candidacy on July 18.

Below Idaho regulation, the Idaho legal professional common’s duties embody performing authorized companies for the state, representing the state in courtroom, advising businesses and public officers on questions or the regulation and, upon request, issuing free authorized opinions in writing for the Idaho Legislature or statewide elected officers. The legal professional common additionally has a seat on the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners, which advises the Idaho Division of Lands on tips on how to handle about 2.5 million acres of state endowment belief lands. 

Idaho AG candidates talk about abortion coverage

The 2 candidates additionally spent a great deal of Monday’s debate discussing abortion coverage and regulation following the U.S. Supreme Court docket’s determination to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

Labrador pledged to defend Idaho’s close to complete abortion ban. When requested about exceptions to the abortion ban, Labrador mentioned “the fact is that our regulation is actually clear; our regulation says that if if girl’s life is in jeopardy that the abortion may be supplied.”

“(Arkoosh) wants to know that we have to defend the regulation of Idaho as an alternative of claiming that we’re going to cave to the federal authorities,” Labrador mentioned. 

In the meantime, Arkoosh mentioned he’s frightened about conservative Idaho legislators doubling down on extra restrictions to dam entry to abortion.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have a statue that comes up and tells us {that a} pregnant girl can’t journey (to acquire an abortion out of state),” Arkoosh mentioned. 

For anybody who missed the legal professional common’s debate, it’s out there to watch on YouTube and can be posted and archived on Idaho Public Tv’s web site. 

Idaho Capital Solar reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris served as one the reporters on the panel asking questions throughout Monday’s legal professional common debate. 

Idaho Debates broadcasts proceed Tuesday with a U.S. Senate debate

There are three remaining Idaho Debates that can be broadcast this month on Idaho Public Tv and posted on-line at Idaho Public Tv’s web site. 

Subsequent up is the U.S. Senate debate between incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, unbiased candidate Scott “Oh” Cleveland and Democratic nominee David Roth. That 90-minute debate can be broadcast at 8 p.m. native time Tuesday. The Senate debate occurred Monday and is already out there to look at on Idaho Public Tv’s YouTube web page. 

Two different debates are additionally scheduled. 

• At 8 p.m. Mountain Time / 7 p.m. Pacific Time on Oct. 24, the Idaho superintendent of public instruction debate that includes Republican Debbie Critchfield and Democrat Terry Gilbert can be broadcast reside on Idaho Public Tv and streamed on YouTube.
• At 8 p.m. Mountain Time / 7 p.m. Pacific Time on Oct. 28, the Idaho lieutenant governor’s debate that includes Republican Scott Bedke and Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler can be broadcast reside on Idaho Public Tv and streamed on YouTube.

The debates can be archived on Idaho Public Tv’s web site for viewers who can not watch reside, and Spanish language closed captioning can be added after the preliminary reside broadcasts are full. 

Final month, three Idaho Republican incumbent elected officers introduced that they wouldn’t take part in statewide televised debates main as much as Election Day. Gov. Brad Little and U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, each R-Idaho, declined to debate their opponents, as did Democratic candidate for state treasurer Deborah Silver. Little and Simpson additionally declined to debate their opponents heading into the Might 17 major elections. 

The overall election takes place Nov. 8, and Idahoans can already request an absentee poll. To seek out out if you’re registered to vote, register to vote on-line, to request a poll or double-check your polling location, go to www.voteidaho.gov.