EPHRATA — Democratic candidate John Duresky told voters Wednesday that protecting health care, reforming immigration policy and restoring trust in government would be among his priorities if elected to represent Washington's 4th Congressional District.

Duresky was the only congressional candidate to appear at the Oct. 21 candidate forum hosted by Art Semro American Legion Post 28. Republican candidate Amanda McKinney did not attend. Post President Mike Montaney said he had contacted McKinney by letter, email and text message but received no response.

During opening remarks, Duresky highlighted his 37-year career in military and federal service, including 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, a deployment to Iraq and later work as a project manager at the Hanford site.

"I took an oath to the Constitution when I was 19 years old," Duresky said. "I've lived under that oath for 37 years."

Duresky said rising costs and access to health care remain major concerns across the district, particularly in rural communities.

"Fifty-five percent of the people in this district are on Medicaid or Medicare," he said. "Fixing reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare is not optional. Fixing the Affordable Care Act and the subsidies is not optional. Our rural hospitals in this area are in real danger."

Asked whether he would remain accountable to local voters if elected to Congress, Duresky said his loyalty would be to district residents rather than political parties or special interests.

"That oath is not to a political party; it is not to the president," he said. "It is to the Constitution and the people of this district. Period."

On immigration, Duresky said the United States has a right to secure its borders but argued the nation also needs comprehensive reform for immigrants already living and working in the country.

"We are a sovereign nation," he said. "We have the right to secure our borders and to control who comes into and out of our country."

At the same time, he said immigrants who have contributed to their communities should have "a fast, fair, affordable path to legal status."

Duresky also talked about what he called a "Take Back Congress" pledge focused on term limits, banning stock trading by members of Congress, restricting lobbying by former lawmakers, overturning Citizens United and establishing an enforceable congressional code of ethics.

When asked whether the 2020 presidential election was stolen, Duresky answered simply: "No."

He said efforts that undermine confidence in elections are damaging trust. 

"This is damaging trust in our institutions, and once you lose that trust in institutions, there is a very long road to getting it back,” he said. 

Duresky also voiced support for Second Amendment rights, saying he is a concealed-carry permit holder, while expressing optimism about renewable energy development and emerging technologies such as sodium-ion batteries and fusion energy.