When pressed by the debate moderator with her own words from her crusade against the bill, Ross said she was just being a “good lobbyist” (watch):
JONATHAN KARL: "But didn’t you say this bill would make it even harder for people to reintegrate into society and start over and could lead to vigilantism. You were opposed to this bill when it passed."
DEBORAH ROSS: When this bill was being considered, like a good [pause] lobbyist, lawyer, legislator, you have to look at the implications of the bill…
If you didn’t tune into the debate live, you likely missed that there was any discussion of the policy important to the senate race. Burr and Ross discussed a broad array of topics including national security, immigration, Obamacare, policing, the Syrian refugee crisis, cybersecurity, and more. But, you’d never know that from the resulting news coverage. Of the first ten media reports, seven headlines focused on the Presidential race. Reminder: Deborah Ross and Richard Burr are running for Senate…
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ABC News: “NC Senator Richard Burr Stands by Donald Trump in Battleground-State Debate”
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Raleigh News & Observer: “US Senate candidates Burr, Ross spar over Donald Trump’s words and actions”
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Associated Press: “Burr takes Trump’s word on allegations in debate with Ross”
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ABC 11: “Burr, Ross Spar Over HB2 And More In High-Stakes Senate Debate”
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WRAL: “Presidential race looms over Senate debate”
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ABC 13: “Sen. Burr, Ross go head to head in only debate before Nov. 8”
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TWC News: “Richard Burr and Deborah Ross Face Off in U.S. Senate Debate”
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Huffington Post: “GOP Senator Embraces And Ducks Donald Trump In One Debate”
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The Hill: “Dem challenger hits Burr over Trump support in NC Senate debate”
- The Washington Times: “Sen. Burr, in tough re-election fight in North Carolina, sticks with Trump”
One topic not discussed in the debate was Thursday’s front page story in the News & Observer where Deborah Ross’ motivation for championing North Carolina’s historic home tax credit came under question. The story notes, “she and her husband, Stephen Wrinn, also have benefited substantially from the historic tax credits she helped champion." Ross and her husband have qualified for more than $267,000 in state and federal income tax credits. What’s more – Ross could not answer whether she paid any state or federal income taxes in some years due to the preservation tax credits claiming, “she would have to check.”
Deborah Ross must answer whether she paid state and federal income taxes.