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Democrats Derek Kitchen and Jennifer Plumb discuss Operation Rio Grande, education in battle for nomination in open state Senate seat

The two Democratic candidates hoping to earn a state Senate seat in one of Utah’s most liberal districts squared off Wednesday to each make their case for how they would best represent the people of Salt Lake City.

In a primary election debate at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Senate District 2 Democratic candidates Derek Kitchen and Jennifer Plumb covered a variety of issues, including homelessness, Medicaid expansion, education, ballot initiatives and taxes.

The discussion between the two Democratic candidates came after incumbent Sen. Jim Dabakis, one of the most outspoken and vocal liberal voices in Utah politics, announced in late February he would not be seeking re-election in November.