Gubernatorial Candidates Debate For Last Time
The third debate was held at the USI Performance Center in Evansville.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe third and final gubernatorial debate is in the books, with the top three contenders to succeed Governor Mike Pence weighing in on health and social issues. During Tuesday’s event at the University of Southern Indiana, the candidates discussed issues including a statewide needle exchange program, employment opportunities for people with disabilities and investing in the health of Hoosiers. Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rex Bell each gave brief remarks covering what they would do if elected.
Holcomb focused on taking Indiana "to the next level." He said Indiana has never been in a more prosperous position, citing an unemployment rate that checks in below the national average, a "healthy" state surplus and a "AAA" credit rating. He also pointed to global leadership positions in multiple sectors.
Gregg discussed the economy and education. He said his plans include focusing on high-wage jobs, attracting, "not scaring away," businesses and expanding pre-kindergarten to cover all students.
Bell talked about reducing the involvement of government on several fronts. "There’s things that we think individuals can do better than what the government can do," he said. Bell again called for eliminating the property tax on businesses as a way to help attract jobs and pushed for putting all road-use taxes toward road construction and repairs and not other works.
View the full debate, which was organized by the Indiana Debate Commission: