Gubernatorial candidates square off in first debate

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WANE) - The first of three gubernatorial debates for Indiana was Wednesday night.
Candidates took the stage hammering home their stances on various issues like education.

"Reality is in the recent grading of schools around Indiana, some 20 percent of our schools got a failing grade, and 50 percent got a grade of C or lower," said Mike Pence, the Republican gubernatorial candidate. "We've got to do better."

Democrat John Gregg said he would fix those numbers by starting early.

"We would look at a pre-kindergarten program," Gregg said. "We're one of eight states that does nothing about a pre-kindergarten program. I'm the only candidate running for governor that's proposed early childhood development programs."

Libertarian Rupert Boneham said he thinks schools should cater to students with different learning styles.

"Life is not a multiple choice, life is an essay, and we need to teach our children how to think and learn and comprehend," Boneham said. "We can untie our teachers hands if we move away from the standardized testing and empower our classrooms."

During the debate, Hoosiers were able to ask the candidates questions, but the real activity came on Twitter where people were weighing in on who had the best answers, talking about the issues, and showing general support of the candidates. But all three candidates had issues that ranked higher than others.

"Criminal justice reform," Boneham said. "I've worked for years keeping us safe, making sure people that break the law are punished, but working to empower those that have stumbled a little."

Pence talked about his ideas to cut taxes.

"Right after we ensure that we have the right amount of money in the bank, to ensure against difficult times ahead, I think we ought to return those dollars in our budget surplus to taxpayers," Pence said.

Gregg took time to share his thoughts on the Affordable Care Act.

"Obamacare is the law of the land, like it or not, and as governor sometimes you have to make decisions you just as soon not deal with," Gregg said. "The truth or the matter if we start with the governor's CHIP program all we have to add is one more thing, maternal healthcare coverage."

The three candidates also talked about union and labor laws and getting Hoosiers back to work.

The next debate will be next Wednesday in South Bend. The third and final debate will be October 25th in Fort Wayne. NewsChannel 15 will be broadcasting that debate live.