Republican Gubernatorial candidates echo party views during debate

JEFFERSON CITY - Three of the four Republican candidates for Missouri governor attended a debate that lasted less than an hour on Monday, Feb. 22.

Former Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and businessman John Brunner were all involved in the debate.

Hanaway formed her answers around the the fact she is a mother in Missouri, Kinder on his victories in statewide elections, and Brunner on his success as a businessman.

Though they answered questions differently, none of the candidates in attendance strayed far from party lines.

Medicaid expansion, gun control, abortion and cutting taxes were all topics of discussion.

"I'm running for governor because I know that governors are the last line of defense against the federal government," Hanaway said. "I'll oppose Obamacare, I'll oppose Medicaid expansion, Common Core and whatever kooky idea they come up with next, including importing a bunch of refugees from terrorist countries, into our state."

Candidates were asked whether they would make toll roads part of their plan to fix the Missouri transportation system.

"Missourians will not invest more money into transportation, or for that matter, I don't believe, anything else, until state government re-earns the reputation for fiscal integrity," Kinder said.

Hanaway and Brunner also said toll roads were not a part of their plans.

Gun control was another hot topic for the candidates, all of whom said they support Missourians' right to protect themselves.

"We need a governor that will stand strong on these constitutional values, not just the Second Amendment but all of the amendments," Brunner said.

The candidates were later asked what they would do regarding the University of Missouri and its board of curators.

"It cast a shadow across our great state, and it all comes down, my friends, to leadership," Brunner said. "No leadership in our governor, no leadership in the board of curators, no leadership in the administration."

Hanaway said it was time to end the lawlessness at the university and Kinder said he would look for curators who would turn the college around.

The candidates in attendance did not attack each other, but focused on attacking Democratic candidate and Attorney General Chris Koster.

"I can be trusted to beat Chris Koster and to carry our banner proudly this November, because of my record and because that record has been crammed with success in three statewide elections."

Hanaway showed strong opposition to Koster and the Democratic Party.

"Chris Koster and the liberals want to relitigate whether or not we're gonna have funding for embryonic stem cell research," Hanaway said. "We're not gonna have public funding for embryonic stem cell research and we're not gonna let Chris Koster and the liberals divide our state over it again."

Brunner said that as an outsider, he has the compelling difference needed to win the election against Koster.

The candidates said their closing arguments after only about 45 minutes of debate.