Gubernatorial Candidates face off in first virtual debate

The first of two Gubernatorial debates took place this evening.

It was hosted virtually by the Indiana Debate Commission.

Everything from the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers’ pay, and constitutional carry were brought up during the hour-long debate.

Virtually by the indiana debate commission.

Everything from the covid-19 pandemic..

Teachers pay..

And constitutional carry were brought up during the hour long debate.

Here is a re-cap of what each candidate had to say.

Three gubernatorial candidates for the state of indiana took the debate stage tonight.

Democratic nominee dr. woody myers..

Republican incumbent governor eric holcomb and libertarian candidate donald rainwater.

Each took different stances on how the pandemic has been handled so far.

Dr. woody myers doesn't think governor holcomb has taken a strong enough of a stance on public safety.

"we need a real mask mandate in indiana.

A mask mandate with consequence for the small amount of hoosiers who choose not to protect themselves or protect others."-myers however..

Rainwater feels it should up to individuals to make their own decision on how to protect themselves from the virus.

"the reality is there is no one size fits all solution to anything and there is no if you do this you will be protected."-rainwater meanwhile holcomb defended his mask mandate saying it sends the right message to hoosiers.

"our individual liberties need to be guarded.

When that liberty or those actions start to infringe on someone else that where we need to take a look at the public safety."-holcomb.

Another topic of discussion that divided the candidates was constitutional carry, which refers to be able to carry a gun without a permit.

A stance on the second amendment donald rainwater supports.

"i absolutely support constitutional carry in the state of indiana and i will work with the general assembly to make sure we get constitutional carry passed in 20-21."- rainwater governor eric holcomb is worried a policy like this would make policing more difficult.

"we will continue to cherish the second amendment but i don't want to do anything that would put law enforcement in a more dangerous situation."- holcomb candidate myers took a stronger stance on the topic by not supporting it at all.

"you know the second amendment is going to survive just fine with out more individuals carrying more weapons around brandishing them and scaring members of the public..

I just don't support it."-myers as for the topic of teachers pay holcomb says..

It has and still is a priority of his administration.

"we alocate over 50 percent of our total revenue our state budget to education now that doesn't mean that we are there yet."-holcomb.

Candidate myers says more needs to be done.

"indiana can raise teachers salaries by prioritizing education in the next budget and i will do so as your next governor."-myers as for rainwater he feels politics needs to be taken out of the process.

"we need to get control back to the parents the teachers and the classroom the local schoolboards and school districts who are able then to take the money that is allocated for for education instead of it being spent on big bureaucracy."- rainwater if you would like to watch the debate in it's entirerity head to our website wlfi dot com.

Ten more witnesses