TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Election Day is less than a month away. 9 On Your Side wants to help viewers be an informed voters so its launching two weeks’ worth of stories covering races and propositions on the ballot. The Project Red, White and Blue series kicks off with the race for U.S. Senate.

 

Three Arizonans are in the running: former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, running as a Democrat; six-term Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake; and criminal defense lawyer and Libertarian Marc Victor. Click on their names to visit their campaign websites.

 

9 On Your Side reporter Kevin Keen asked Carmona, “What do you think is the number one problem, issue facing Arizona, and how would you tackle it?” “Jobs and the economy. No question,” he answered. “It's about creating an environment in the state of Arizona through innovation and entrepreneurship; appropriate incentives to have people come in with their factories, with their ideas, with their families, with their children so we can grow,” Carmona said later.

 

“One the biggest issues is this massive deficit that our nation holds,” Flake answered when asked the same question. “Second, we have uncertainty on taxes that really stifles job growth when employers don't know what tax rates are going to be paid,” Flake later said. “They can't plan for the future.”

 

“The economy is very important,” Victor answered. “I think that the economy is the type of issue that we need action right now.” Victor later said, “We have a debt problem here in the United States, and it's because we're spending out of control. We need to get that under control immediately.”

 

9 On Your Side also asked each candidate what he thinks separated him from his opponents.

 

“I believe in limited government, economic freedom, individual responsibility. I'm not sure what my opponent believes in,” Flake answered, referring to Carmona. “He really won't explain many of his positions. So far, we have not seen him separate himself from the president and his agenda.”

 

“If you look at senior issues with Social Security and Medicare, which is first and foremost on our seniors minds, Congressman Flake wants to privatize and voucherize those systems and put risk on seniors,” Carmona answered. “I think that's untenable.”

 

Victor holds a different view of government and its very role than his opponents.

 

“My personal positions on things really aren't relevant,” Victor said. “In a political context, I support the notion that Americans have a right to both define and pursue their own happiness and that it's the role of government, simply, to just protect their rights.”

 

Lastly, the candidates shared a final message for voters.

 

“We've got to have people in Washington who are willing to stand up regardless of who's in charge,” Flake said. “That's what I’ve done in the House. That's what I’ll do in the Senate.”

 

“I think America is about something,” Victor said. “I think we're about freedom. I think that's what makes our country different than other countries. I am always about freedom.”

 

“My platform is first and foremost that we have to bring some civility and some statesmanship back to Washington,” Carmona said.

 

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday. For instructions on how to register, visit the Arizona Secretary of State website or call the agency at 877-THE VOTE.

 

Election Day is November 6.