None of three men running for governor gave any new policy details in their second debate Wednesday night.
As in the first debate, Democrat John Gregg often referenced his bipartisan record as Speaker of the Indiana House. Libertarian Rupert Boneham stuck to his theme of promoting himself as not being a career politician, but a businessman trying to bring openness to state government. Republican Mike Pence cited his Roadmap for Indiana as the way to take the state from good to great.
Gregg attacked that roadmap during the debate, specifically Pence’s “family impact statements,” a proposal that all new state programs, rules and regulations be in line with promoting marriage. Gregg says the Republican’s proposal is insulting.
“I’m a single parent too and I take great offense that kind of his family plan doesn’t consider me and my boys a family.”
Pence says Gregg’s attacks are unwarranted.
“I think we don’t need negative, personal attacks in a campaign for governor. We want a governor that will attack the issues and not his opponents.”
Boneham repeated his mantra that he’s a candidate who can provide real change.
“I am not the career politician. I am just the businessman who is trying to bring some common sense back into our government.”
The three candidates will meet one final time in a debate in Fort Wayne next week.
