The Republican and Democratic candidates in

Kansas’ 1st Congressional District are sparring publicly over

immigration and health care.

Republican state Sen. Tim Huelskamp and Democrat Alan Jilka, a

former Salina mayor, aired their differences in a debate Monday

night at Emporia State University.

Huelskamp said Jilka represents the status quo of what’s going

on in Washington. He pointed to Jilka’s statement that he would

have voted for the health care law championed by President Barack

Obama. Huelskamp favors its repeal.

Jilka said the law is a work in progress but has made positive

changes.

The two also disagreed sharply on immigration. Jilka said he

favors providing a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants.

Huelskamp said the nation must secure its borders.