Democratic US Senate Candidates Differ on Answer to College Loan Debt

(Des Moines, IA) — The three candidates competing for the Iowa Democratic Party’s US Senate nomination say college student debt is a problem, but they disagree on how to provide relief to borrowers. During a debate last (Thursday) night on Iowa PBS, Mike Franken of Sioux City questioned what “constantly” wiping out student loan debt would do to the costs of going to college. Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids suggests college debt relief could be offered as an incentive to get college grads to settle in places where there’s been population loss. Glenn Hurst, a physician from Minden, supports not only wiping out current college loan debt, but paying back people who paid off their loans. All three candidates agreed that Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to abortion nationwide. The winner will likely face incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley, who’s seeking an eighth term in the US Senate.