Kevin Kiley challenges Richard Pan to debate series in D-6 race

By: Robert J. Hanson, The Observer

Rep. Kevin Kiley challenged opponent Dr. Richard Pan to participate in five debates across California’s newly drawn 6th Congressional District, framing the race as a test of competing visions for the region’s future.

Speaking at a virtual press conference, Kiley told reporters that voters deserve multiple opportunities to compare the candidates’ records and positions before ballots are cast.

“If Richard Pan thinks that I have in any way mischaracterized his record, then I would give him an opportunity to defend himself,” Kiley said.

He said the debates should be held in major communities throughout the district and could be moderated by members of the media.

The challenge comes as Kiley, formerly a Republican, recently registered “No Party Preference.” The recent June primary set up Kiley to face off against Pan, a Sacramento pediatrician and former state senator, in one of California’s most closely watched congressional races.

Throughout the press conference, Kiley attacked Pan’s legislative record on taxes, energy costs, homelessness, public safety and pandemic-era school policies, while portraying himself as an independent voice willing to break with both major parties.

Among his sharpest criticisms was Pan’s vote for Senate Bill 1, the 2017 transportation funding package that increased California’s gasoline excise tax by 12 cents per gallon, raised diesel taxes and established new annual vehicle registration fees to fund road, bridge and transit improvements.

“Richard Pan voted to raise the gas tax. He was the deciding vote,” Kiley said.

Legislative records show Pan voted in favor of SB 1, which passed the California Senate by the minimum number of votes required for approval. While Pan’s vote was necessary for the bill’s passage, every affirmative vote was equally necessary to reach the threshold.

The legislation remains a frequent target of Republican criticism because it increased transportation-related taxes and fees. However, economists and energy analysts have long noted that California’s gasoline prices are driven by a combination of factors beyond fuel taxes.

California motorists have paid higher-than-average gasoline prices for decades, including years before SB 1 was enacted. The state requires a specialized cleaner-burning gasoline blend, particularly during summer months, and maintains fuel standards through the California Air Resources Board that exceed federal requirements. California’s fuel market also is relatively isolated from the rest of the country because it lacks major gasoline pipelines connecting it to other regions.

While California consistently pays a premium over the national average, major price spikes have generally occurred during global supply disruptions and geopolitical crises.

The dual-line comparison shows California’s prices generally rise and fall alongside national trends, though at a consistently higher baseline because of state taxes, environmental regulations, refinery constraints and fuel formulation requirements.

Kiley also criticized Pan’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming he “led the charge” to keep California schools closed longer than those in other states.

Pan, a physician who chaired legislative health committees during portions of the pandemic, was a prominent advocate for vaccination and public health measures. California did experience some of the nation’s longest periods of distance learning, although decisions regarding school closures and reopenings were made through a combination of state and local executive actions rather than by individual legislators.

Kiley further highlighted what he described as instances where he broke with both Democratic and Republican leadership, citing his support for preserving AmeriCorps funding, extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, supporting aid to Ukraine and opposing certain tariff and immigration proposals.

Pan’s campaign responded by embracing the prospect of debate while attacking Kiley’s voting record in Congress.

“Dr. Pan looks forward to debating ‘MAGA champion’ Kevin Kiley and holding him accountable for voting with Donald Trump 98% of the time,” Daisy Stein, spokesperson for Pan’s campaign, said in a statement.

The “MAGA champion” label references a 2022 endorsement in which President Trump described Kiley as a future “MAGA champion” in Congress. Pan’s campaign and allied Democratic groups repeatedly have cited congressional vote analyses showing Kiley has voted with Trump-backed positions in the overwhelming majority of votes where the president’s position was known publicly.

Neither campaign announced specific debate dates or locations, and Pan’s campaign did not indicate whether it would accept Kiley’s proposal to hold five of them.