Murphy, Vernon to spar one more time

[Correction May 13: Due to reporter's error, it was incorrectly reported that Pat Murphy, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in Iowa's U.S. House 1

^st

District, sought the endorsement of the New Democrat Coalition's NewDemPAC.]

CEDAR RAPIDS — U.S. House 1st District Democratic candidates Pat Murphy and Monica Vernon don't plan to deviate Friday night from the cases they've been making when they engage in what might be their final debate before the June 7 primary.

Vernon, a former business owner and City Council member in Cedar Rapids, and Murphy, a former speaker of the Iowa House from Dubuque, debate for the fourth time from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tama Ballroom, 1411 E. 5th St. in Tama.

'It's about making clear what she will do in Congress,' Vernon campaign manager Michelle Gajewski said. 'We have an economy that doesn't work for everybody, there are northeast Iowans getting left behind.'

So Vernon will emphasize college affordability, equal pay for women and ensuring women's access to health care.

Murphy will urge raising the minimum wage, requiring employers to provide paid sick leave and expanding the Affordable Care Act with a 'public option' for coverage and allowing people into Medicare at age 55, said his campaign manager, Mike McLaughlin.

Social Security is sure to be an issue because Murphy will continue to press Vernon to release a questionnaire they both completed to get the backing of the New Democrat Coalition's NewDemPAC, McLaughlin said. The group has backed the Simpson Bowles plan to raise the retirement age and cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Vernon has made protecting the 'sacred trust' of Social Security a key part of her platform, saying seniors 'earned it, deserve it, and must be able to count on it.'

In that case, McLaughlin said, Vernon should release her answers so voters can see 'what led them to give her a $5,000 check.'

'I don't know if she supports Simpson Bowles, but the New Democrats do. Those aren't progressive Democratic ideas,' he said. 'Those are old Republican ideas.'

Vernon is likely to hit Murphy's 'old ideas' to restrict abortion, Gajewski said.

'She will drive home to women that when it comes to access to health care and making their own choice, Pat Murphy can't be trusted.' Gajewski said.

The debate is sponsored by the Democratic parties of Tama, Benton, Marshall, and Poweshiek counties. The public is invited to submit questions.