Arizona Senate race debate: Democrat Mark Kelly, Republican Blake Masters clash over immigration, abortion

Democrat Mark Kelly and Republican Blake Masters, the frontrunners in the Arizona Senate race, participated in a debate in Phoenix Thursday, alongside Libertarian nominee Marc Victor.

"This crushing inflation is ruining people's lives," Masters told debate moderator Ted Simons. "I had parents come up to me two weeks ago to a campaign event. They said Blake, we don't eat breakfast anymore. We drink coffee. We drink coffee so that we can afford to feed our kids breakfast. And that's on you, sir. This is the Joe Biden-Mark Kelly economy." Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, left, smiles as he stands on stage with Republican challenger Blake Masters, right, prior to a televised debate in Phoenix, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, left, reaches out to shake hands with his Republican challenger Blake Masters, right, prior to a televised debate in Phoenix, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Kelly, a former astronaut, was narrowly elected in 2020 to serve the remainder of late Republican Sen. John McCain's term, said the COVID-19 pandemic, which he referred to as "something unprecedented," was squarely to blame for the current economic crisis.