Columbus, Ohio – During a recent on-air candidate forum in February, Ohio Republican congressional candidate Kevin Coughlin advocated for cuts to Social Security and Medicaid as a means to address the national debt. Hosted by Chris Long of the Ohio Christian Alliance, the forum delved into Coughlin’s views on how Congress can tackle the issue of national debt plaguing the country.
Coughlin emphasized the necessity for entitlement reforms, pointing out that a significant portion of the budget is allocated to programs like Medicaid and Social Security. While acknowledging the sensitive nature of cutting benefits, Coughlin argued for the sustainability of these programs for those in genuine need.
As a former Ohio state senator and representative, Coughlin’s stance aligns with other prominent Republicans like U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick, who have also discussed the possibility of implementing cuts to benefits programs.
Despite the need for reforms to ensure the longevity of Social Security, Republicans have been reluctant to engage with proposed legislation put forth by Democrats, often citing misinformation about the program’s financial status to justify benefit reductions.
In addition to his economic views, Coughlin has positioned himself as staunchly anti-abortion, securing an endorsement from Ohio Right to Life despite running in a district that historically supports reproductive rights. The passage of Ohio’s Issue 1 reproductive rights ballot measure in November reflected the community’s stance on abortion, with a majority in the district Coughlin aims to represent supporting the measure.
In the upcoming November election, Coughlin will go head-to-head with incumbent Rep. Emilia Sykes (D) to determine the representative for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. The contest between the two candidates is expected to draw attention as they offer differing perspectives on key issues impacting the state and nation as a whole.