Indiana gubernatorial candidates Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick, and Donald Rainwater recently faced off in the first debate of the 2024-2025 election season, discussing key issues such as the economy, immigration, drugs, abortion, and digitally altered campaign ads. The race is expected to be one of the closest in the past two decades, with McCormick polling just three points behind Braun overall and 10 points ahead with independent voters.
During the debate, the candidates presented their policies and plans for the state, with Braun emphasizing his focus on investing in key employees and considering raising the minimum wage, while McCormick highlighted her public economy recovery plan and support for legal immigrants in the community. Rainwater proposed keeping property taxes from rising and making immigration a legal, not political issue.
On the topic of drugs, McCormick advocated for the slow legalization of marijuana, while Braun supported the legalization of medical marijuana and promised to listen to the legislature, law enforcement, and Hoosiers on recreational use. Rainwater, on the other hand, believed all forms of marijuana should be legal immediately and suggested expunging everyone with marijuana-related crimes.
In terms of abortion, Braun and Rainwater expressed pro-life views, while McCormick shared her intention to change current legislation based on feedback from women across the state. The candidates also addressed the issue of digitally altered campaign ads, with Braun defending the use of an AI-altered image of McCormick and McCormick criticizing Braun for using re-ordered clips of her voice without immediate action.
The debates covered a wide range of topics important to Indiana voters, with a third debate scheduled for October 24 ahead of Election Day on November 5.
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