"I would absolutely vote to raise the minium wage," said Democratic candidate Christian Burridge. The base wage has not been increased in a decade, he argued, though Congress has raised its own pay several times.

"The middle class is under attack from special interests. We need someone who is going to represent the people of Utah, not their own interest," Burridge said.

Republican incumbent Chris Cannon argued that wage levels take care of themselves in a good economy.

"What I believe in is a robust economy," Cannon said. "A minimum wage alone? I would not vote for that. Let businesses grow and let businesses compete for labor and that will increase the price for labor."

But youth versus experience also was the theme Thursday at the KUED-TV debate, which will be televised tonight.

Burridge, 31, said he can best understand the needs and concerns of America's youngest congressional district with its hundreds of thousands of children. The political neophyte, who has two pre-school-aged daughters, appealed to 3rd District voters, "I'm like you - I have a mortgage, and I have a student loan and car payments."

But five-term incumbent Cannon reminded voters of his clout in a Republican-controlled House. Utah's children need a better return on state trust lands, he said. Two-thirds of Utah's land is federally controlled. Cannon said he has been successful in consolidating scattered state trust parcels to bring in more education income.

Both candidates said the U.S. immigration system is "broken" and needs reform as a matter of national security.

But they differed in a key area: Burridge would crack down on businesses that unfairly profit from using undocumented workers. "The best way to handle it is to stop the demand. Businesses are enticing people to come into this country," he said.

Cannon said a flow of legal workers is necessary to feed the nation's economic growth.

He lauded recent legislation to build 700 miles of fence along the Mexican boarder. "That will give us some real security on the Mexican border."

Cannon advocated health care savings accounts as a way to insure more Americans. Again, he emphasized letting the marketplace provide the services needed. "It is vitally important for the federal government to stay out of health care."

But Burridge, who is a consumer lawyer, said health accounts are not the solution.

"Not everyone can afford a health care savings account," he said. "It is a way to give rich people a way to put their money away tax free."

Burridge said citizens should "be able to buy the same health care that our legislators and our Congress members have. I will fight for that."