Gubernatorial candidates hold final debate before election

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - With only 12 days left before Election Day, the gubernatorial candidates held their final debate at public broadcasting station, WFWA.

Candidates touched on array of topics, including: job creation, legalizing marijuana, the war on poverty and education.

Democratic candidate John Gregg made a comment in his opening statement calling out republican challenger Mike Pence's stance with Mourdock after his controversial statement about rape and God.

"Congressman Pence tried to separate himself from his ticket mate Richard Mourdock and announced that he now supported abortion for the survivors of rape and incest," he said.

The subject of abortion and rape was not brought up during Thursday's debate, but post-debate, Gregg kept pressing Pence support for Mourdock.

"Yesterday, he called for an apology during the day, then last night, he went to a fundraiser for him and encouraged people to support him," Gregg said.

Pence came forward Thursday and said Mourdock did the right thing by apologizing and clarifying his statement. That's why he continues to support him, but made clear this shouldn't be the focus of his or Mourdock's campaign.

"I think it's time to move on," said Pence. "I really believe that Hooisers are focused, as they have been for so many months, on how we get this economy moving, on the national level and here in Indiana."

Libertarian candidate Rupert Boneham said abortion is a difficult issue to put on a political platform. He said if pressed, his stance is that it should be safe, legal, rare, and privately funded.