GAINESVILLE - State Rep. James Mills of Gainesville and his Democratic opponent, Chris Strickland, clashed often and sometimes loudly during an appearance on the Bill & Joel Morning Show on WDUN NEWS TALK 550 Thursday.
Strickland came out of the gate swinging, accusing Republican Mills of dodging debates with him, something Mills vehemently denied.
"Now wait a minute, that's not true," Mills said. "This is not the only time you and I..."
"Well," Strickland interrupted, "you can't call a forum a debate when the expressed rules in the forum - and I can show you the email - where the expressed rules said, 'no debating will be allowed.'"
From there the two clashed over taxes, term limits, water issues and the House leadership, among other things, including school funding, the respective presidential nominees and abortion.
At one point, when he was interrupted again during the nearly one-hour session, Mills chided Strickland by saying, "I've been respectful and let you talk. I just ask the same in return."
Mills accused Strickland of not doing his homework in accusing Mills of supporting tax increases.
"I can understand a student not doing their homework, but really, a teacher not doing his homework and not reading these bills, they do not raise taxes."
Strickland, a middle school teacher, shot right back.
"I don't know how many times you can cut and insult my intelligence and tell me I don't understand state government," he said.
Thursday
October 10th, 2024
6:23AM
