ERIE — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, says his experience through two terms in office is reason why he should be re-elected.

But his Democratic challenger Dan Lavallee thinks the district needs fresh ideas.

The two men squared off Thursday night in their first and only debate that was hosted by the WQLN television station in Erie just days before Tuesday’s election.

Kelly, 66, of Butler and LaVallee, 26, of Cranberry Township both cited job growth as the primary need in the district, which includes all of Butler County.

Kelly, owner of the Butler-based car dealership bearing his name, said it is important to lower taxes to inspire economic growth in the district.

“We don’t allow people to bring their money back and reinvest it,” he said. “What’s holding America back right now are terrible policies when it comes to regulation and taxation.”

Kelly said business in particular is paying too much in taxes.

“We have the highest corporate tax in the world,” he said.

LaVallee said the state has been among the worst in the country at job creation during Kelly’s term.

LaVallee, who agreed with Kelly on lowering corporate tax rates, said education is key to developing economic growth, adding more needs to be done to ease the financial burden of attending college.

“Folks can’t buy a car from Mr. Kelly because they’re saddled with (student loan) debt,” he said.

LaVallee also criticized trade agreements that have been passed during Kelly’s two terms, saying they have led to jobs moving overseas.

“We have to stand up against the large corporations that are shifting jobs overseas,” he said.

Kelly said there have been no jobs lost due to trade agreements he has supported.

On education, Kelly said a better effort needs to be made to make sure federal aid is going to students who need it.

“The (federal) Pell Grants were originally intended for the most vulnerable, the most needy,” he said. “Let’s go back to what the program was intended for.”

Kelly said the real concern with paying off education expenses falls back on the economy.

“We need to ask why aren’t people finding jobs,” he said. “Yes, people are graduating, but there are no jobs to go to.”

Congressional image

When asked about Congress’ low approval rating in a recent Gallup poll, Kelly blamed poor leadership in the Senate.

“The House has over 384 pieces of legislation, mostly passed in a bipartisan way, sitting on a table in the Senate,” Kelly said. “Senate Leader Mr. (Harry) Reid refuses to debate, to amend, or take a look at any of that legislation.”

Kelly said the Senate is putting political interest ahead of its duties.

“Mr. Reid has put the re-election of his senators in front of the best interest of the county,” he said.

LaVallee said Kelly is part of the partisan problem in Congress, calling him a “proud obstructionist” who has voted with the Republican Party 96 percent of the time.

“That’s not Western Pennsylvania common sense — voting with your party 96 percent of the time,” he said. “Folks here are tired of the blaming.”

Both men said they are fit to represent the constituents of the district.

Kelly touted his background in Butler’s local government and as a businessman for many years. He said LaVallee only recently moved to the district.

“I actually live here,” Kelly said. “I didn’t just move back here 8 or 10 months ago to run for this office. This is who I am.”

LaVallee, who recently worked in Washington, D.C., said his family has a long history in the area.

“My family have been in Western Pennsylvania for over a hundred years,” he said. “This is home for me.”

Kelly said he works to represent people in the district in Washington.

“We have taken this area’s voice to Washington, D.C.,” he said.

LaVallee said a crucial aspect of the job is getting things done.

“You have to keep a functioning government open,” he said. “We must work together. Not vote with your own party 96 percent of the time.”

Foreign policy

The men fielded questions on foreign affairs, including U.S. involvement in the Middle East.

LaVallee said he supports the air strikes aimed at the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, but said he doesn’t believe U.S. troops should be on the ground at this time.

“We don’t need to be sending troops my age there without a clear mission,” he said.

LaVallee added that the U.S. should continue to work with its allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to fight ISIS.

Kelly favors sending troops and questioned the president’s delay in dealing with the terrorist group.

“This is not new,” Kelly said. “The problem is we waited a year-and-a-half to fight a terrorist group we could have nipped in the bud very early.”

Both men supported some form of travel restrictions to and from West Africa in response to the Ebola virus outbreak.

However, LaVallee said it is important to make sure doctors are allowed to travel there to help eradicate the disease. Kelly said it is important to isolate the disease until a vaccine is developed.

Health care

Kelly said the Affordable Care Act has not worked out.

“It was well intended,” he said. “But we’re looking at people right now who are losing their health care plans.”

Kelly said people have lost health care plans the president said they would be able to keep, and said the cost of insurance has gone up for many individuals and families.

“People are looking at health care plans with a much higher premiums and deductibles, and they can’t make the math work,” he said.

Kelly said he favored the proposed American Healthcare Reform Act, which he said was helped formed by health care providers.

LaVallee said there was an issue with the launch of the health insurance marketplace, but said it is important not to give up on the plan.

“We can’t go back to denying people with pre-existing conditions coverage or charging women more than men,” he said.

LaVallee said Kelly voted to appeal the act 51 times.

The two men have opposing views on the federal government’s role with gay marriage, which was made legal in Pennsylvania earlier this year.

LaVallee supports gay marriage. Kelly said he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but said the decision on marriage laws should be up to the states.