Gubernatorial debate: Gov. Matt Bevin vs. AG Andy Beshear

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Tuesday night supporters lined the street on UK’s campus ahead of the gubernatorial debate.

Governor Matt Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear began the debate at 7 p.m.

The two gubernatorial candidates faced off in a heated debate at the Singletary Center for the Arts.

Some popular topics: pensions, healthcare, public education funding and abortion. These were just of the few topics in the vicious, hour long debate.

“If I am re-elected I will continue to fight for this state like I would fight for my own family and I will defend the commonwealth of Kentucky on every stage the way I defended this nation when I wore her uniform thirty years ago,” said Bevin in his closing statements.

“I want to be a governor for all Kentucky families that fights for each and everyone one of you democrats, republicans, or independents. That believes that all of our families should be treated with decency and respect and actually shows that example as your governor,” said Beshear in his closing statements.

Bevin ended by asking the crowd if they wanted to move forward with him or backwards with Beshear.

Beshear ended by saying the choice is either a bully, Bevin, or a governor who will fight for all Kentucky families.

The polls open on Tuesday, November 5th.

For more details about the debate, topics discussed, and where the candidates stand on these topics read the Twitter thread below.

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ABC 36’s Christy Bollinger is reporting on the debate and will be posting live updates on Twitter.

Quite the crowd here on UK’s campus for the 2nd gubernatorial debate – Gov. Matt Bevin vs. AG Andy Beshear. Dozens of supporters awaiting their arrivals. Debate starts at 7. We’ll have more tonight on @ABC36News at 11. pic.twitter.com/e41EU9G2vv

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Asked about funding the pension system. @AndyBeshearKY points to gaming and medical marijuana as answers to the funding issue. @GovMattBevin says he’s the only governor to fully fund it and says the system needs to change structurally.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Asked about what can be done to encourage students to become teachers. Beshear wants to address teacher shortage and put education budget first. Bevin says if you love public ed so much why do your kids go to private schools. Bevin calls Beshear a fraud.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Beshear says Bevin is attacking my children just like he’s been attacking children all over the state.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Both asked about state funding for higher education. @GovMattBevin says bringing more jobs to KY will bring more taxpayers to help fund it. @AndyBeshearKY says he’s fighting for people who don’t come from $$ unlike Bevin. Calls Bevin a bully.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Bevin says “Andy Candy” is promising money to teachers that he can’t.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Asked about abortion clinics and only one being left in KY. Beshear says responsibility as government is to help those who need it like rape victims and human trafficking victims.
Bevin says there is no one who has the right to decide when an innocent person should die.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Beshear says Bevin didn’t help the Black Jewel miners. Bevin talks about meeting with miners and says they will be getting their money. Beshear says he met with miners too but didn’t do it for the camera.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Beshear says Bevin didn’t help the Black Jewel miners. Bevin talks about meeting with miners and says they will be getting their money. Beshear says he met with miners too but didn’t do it for the camera.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Asked about overcrowding in jails. Beshear says this is a real problem and addiction is the driving cost behind it. Says he will never support private prisons like Bevin. Bevin says most of these prisons opened with Beshear’s father. Bevin agrees addiction needs to be addressed.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Asked about funding school safety bill. Bevin says it needs to be funded but we need to be intelligent about where the funding is sent. Beshear says every child deserves to feel safe in school and he’ll treat every public school as the most important building.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Bevin calls out Beshear for voting for Clinton and Obama who he says both made it clear “they hate coal miners and coal mining operations”. Beshear says there’s only one person on this stage who failed our coal miners.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019

Water crisis in Martin Co. is addressed. Beshear says if elected he’ll declare state of emergency immediately.

— Christy Bollinger ABC 36 (@ChristyB_News) October 15, 2019