Five Candidates Face off in GOP Debate for Florida’s 15th District

July 24, 2022 Updated 2:41 P.M. ET

HOLLYWOOD (FLV) – GOP Candidates for Florida’s 15th Congressional District faced off in a debate at the Sunshine Summit Saturday.

Those candidates included Kelli Stargel, Laurel Lee, Jackie Toledo, Kevin McGovern, and Demetries Grimes. Mark Levin moderated the debate with Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The first question asked candidates what they would do as one of 435 members of Congress to “fight the war.”

“How do we make sure you’re not the next Liz Cheney?” Levin asked.

Kelli Stargel started by sharing her accomplishments in Florida as a state senator. She listed off how she sponsored Florida’s 15-week abortion ban and filed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Stargel said she has been pushing for school choice for the last 14 years.

Jackie Toledo responded by sharing her past as an immigrant who came to the United States when she was five years old. She said illegal immigration and fentanyl are “unacceptable” at the border. Toledo supports building the wall and firing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Levin then asked Laurel Lee if she supported the impeachment of Mayorkas.

Lee supports impeaching Mayorkas and said he is “failing” at is his job to protect the border. Lee said as a former prosecutor and judge, she saw first-hand the “tragic consequences” of allowing illegal immigrants into the country.

Demetries Grimes supports the impeachment and said Mayorkas has violated federal laws with regards to human trafficking.

Grimes was also pressed on why he has registered as a Republican, then Democrat, and back to Republican again. Levin pointed out how Grimes, who is now an NRA member, had previously opposed the National Rifle Association.

“I have retracted all of those statements,” Grimes said. “I am a constitutional conservative and an America first conservative.”

Levin then posed a question to Lee and asked how the voters know if she will ‘fight’ in Washington. Lee responded by citing her career as a federal prosecutor locking up dangerous criminals in Florida. She pointed to her work with DeSantis as Secretary of State to secure Florida’s elections.

DeSantis asked who they believe is the best U.S. Supreme Court Justice:

– McGovern: Justice Amy Coney Barrett
– Lee: Justice Clarence Thomas
– Stargel: Justice Clarence Thomas
– Toledo: Justice Amy Coney Barrett
– Grimes: Justice Clarence Thomas

The candidates all agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade to send the power to regulate abortions back to the states.

Candidates were pressed on how fiscally responsible they are. DeSantis provided a scenario where Congressional leadership gets “behind closed doors” to pass an omnibus bill. The bill would include funding necessities for major functions of the government but would also include additional spurts of money for more unnecessary projects.

“Would you be willing to accept that or be against that?” DeSantis asked the candidates.

McGovern: He would vote no.

Lee: She would not support the bill and believes members of Congress ought to know what is happening behind closed doors.

Stargel: She would not accept the bill as the governor presented it. Stargel reiterated a need for Republicans who will push back.

Toledo: She would vote ‘nay’ and explained that “our children” are the ones who would inherit the debt.

Grimes: Said that he is a champion for fiscal responsibility.

The candidates had similarities in supporting term limits and whether to grant amnesty for children who came to the United States 40 years ago. All of the candidates said those children should not be granted amnesty.

With respect to foreign policy, each candidate was asked whether the United States should be providing support to Israel and Ukraine.

Lee said the U.S. must “absolutely” provide support for Israel because it is the right thing to do and is in America’s strategic interest. Stargel said the U.S. needs to “be strong” on foreign policy and support its allies like Israel. Toledo called Vladimir Putin a “bully” and echoed support for Israel. Grimes and McGovern both supported the U.S. backing Israel.

All of the candidates except for Lee agreed that “non-military personnel” should be provided to support Ukraine.