Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in their first presidential debate together on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia.
The 90-minute debate was hosted by ABC News and held the National Constitution Center. It was moderated by “World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis.
The debate featured the two presidential candidates trading barbs, dueling about policy and the economy, and saw Trump rant about immigrants eating pets.
Trump participated in a debate with President Joe Biden in June that effectively ended Biden’s reelection campaign and thrust Harris into the spotlight.
Here’s how some local elected officials reacted to the Presidential debate:
Sandoval County Commission and state Senate candidate Jay Block:
“I thought ABC did a horrible job. It was very unfair. I think they didn’t fact check a lot of Kamala’s lies. I really thought both candidates didn’t do a great job last night and I don’t think they convinced any swing voters in large numbers to move the needle in their favor.”
Sandoval County Commissioner Katherine Bruch:
“I thought it was a robust debate between the Vice President and former President. I have some significant concerns about some of the undertones that I was hearing from the former President, including one where he called himself the President. It’s outrageous that this individual who continues to be in the forefront of this run for President of our country is so out of touch with reality.”
Corrales Mayor Jim Fahey:
“I thought the Vice President looked calm and organized, being direct in her responses after some apparent early nervousness. I thought the former President looked angry and confused most of the time. He said nothing new, but reacted to what the Vice President said.”
Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres:
“It was quite a debate from my point of view, and for me, it did a lot of things. I think most importantly for me is it really showed the true character of the two candidates, and I think Vice President Harris clearly showed a grasp of issues. She was, in my opinion, very presidential, and maintained her composure. The other thing that I really liked is that she not only offered her opinions, but she really presented a view of what she sees her goals are going to be assuming she gets elected. Her goals for the country fit with things that make sense to me. I think we need positive leaders with strong visions of what’s possible. That’s what I heard from her, and I especially like that she outlined some real specific policies about helping small businesses, about helping young families, things that are important in every single community. So I say I’m hopeful that she’ll become president and will certainly be supporting her in any way that we can.”
New Mexico Representative Alan Martinez:
“I think it there were two things that were clear,
- Former President Trump underestimated the vice president, she was clearly well prepared.
- The moderators could have done a better job. Not once did they redirect the vice president, yet they tried to redirect the former President on almost every point.
I am glad that President Trump stayed away from insults for the most part. I am also happy that the cameras were able to catch the very condescending looks that the vice president was directing at President Trump.
I think that the vice president scored points every time she reminded everyone that she was not Joe Biden. President Trump scored every time he asked why the vice president was not currently implementing all the fixes she was proposing since she has the opportunity to do so.”
New Mexico Representative Kathleen Cates:
“I am very proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris for President. I was impressed with her knowledge of both foreign and domestic affairs and her command of the issues. We need a President who will work to bring us together to make this nation stronger. Her performance last night at the Presidential debate was proof of her ability to unite all Americans in the common goal of making us better.”