By Taylor Wooten 
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—The three candidates for governor clashed on the topics of education, taxes, COVID-19, and guns in a fast-paced virtual debate Tuesday.

Throughout the hour-long debate, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb defended the policies of his administration against criticisms from Democrat Woody Myers and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

The candidates and moderator Andrew Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Ball State University, debated from separate studios at WFYI in downtown Indianapolis. They were separated because of the risk posed by COVID-19.

All questions came from the public and the first, from a teacher in Jeffersonville, gave Myers the opening to announce his choice for superintendent of public instruction—Jennifer McCormick, the Republican who currently holds the office and who has been at odds with the Holcomb administration on education policy. Lawmakers voted to make the position an appointed one, making McCormick the last elected education chief.

Myers used his time to argue for higher teacher pay and to increase education funding.

Holcomb cited the $1.6 billion increase in K-12 funding approved in the 2019 budget-writing session of the General Assembly as proof that he and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch are prioritizing public education.

In his minute to comment on education policy, Rainwater said, “We need to make sure when the money is allocated, it follows that child.”

Some of the sharpest differences came in questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken more than 3,500 Hoosier lives and sickened more than 150,000 people, and the power of the governor to impose restrictions in a public health emergency.

Holcomb, who ordered a shutdown of all but the most essential businesses early in the pandemic and has now reopened the state, found himself defending his policies as either too weak or too much of a government overreach.

Myers leveled his sharpest criticism of Holcomb’s handling of the pandemic when he said the governor imposed a mask mandate that has no consequences for failing to follow it.

“We do not have a mask mandate in Indiana,” Myers said. “We have a mask suggestion; a mandate has consequences.”

Rainwater, arguing that individuals should decide for themselves what risks they’re willing to take in the pandemic, said the mask mandate is unconstitutional and does little to protect people against an unpredictable virus. Individuals should choose “what is easiest and what is best to protect yourself,” he added.

Holcomb said it’s important to strike a balance between liberty and public safety, emphasizing that wearing masks and social distancing slows the spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus.

When Rainwater argued that the closure of nonessential establishments in March killed small businesses, Holcomb countered they were necessary to not overwhelm hospitals. The governor also cited $30 million in CARES Act funding that was allocated to small businesses.

Myers insisted that his administration would prioritize small businesses, especially those owned by women and veterans.

The candidates were asked to outline their individual plans for tax revenue. Myers said that corporations have been benefiting most through tax cuts instead of individuals while Holcomb defended the corporate tax cuts by saying this is a pro-growth policy that attracts businesses to Indiana.

Rainwater said that the government needs to be downsized and that this could lead to the elimination of state income tax and property taxes.

Holcomb said Indiana has been ranked the number one most efficient state and the state government has been cut to the bone.

Gun violence was another issue raised by Hoosiers who submitted questions to the Indiana Debate Commission.

Holcomb said the issue can be solved through partnering law enforcement with the community and the protection of the “Red Flag Law,” which allows law enforcement to confiscate a firearm from individuals determined to be a danger to themselves or others.

Rainwater disagreed, saying that red flag laws violate due process and that the proper solution to violence is harsher punishment. He was also the only candidate of the three to support constitutional carry, or the right to carry a gun without a permit.

Myers, citing his time working in the emergency room and seeing injuries of gun violence first-person, voiced support of increased gun safety, including background checks and restrictions on gun show sales.

Holcomb said that the General Assembly has cherished the 2^nd Amendment and will continue to, but that he does not support constitutional carry because it may put law enforcement at more risk.

The next debate will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

FOOTNOTE: Taylor Wooten is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.