Three of the four major Republican gubernatorial candidates faced off Friday night in a debate hosted by the grassroots group, America Pack. Trump-endorsed Kari Lake, Matt Salmon, and Steve Gaynor participated. Karrin Taylor-Robson, after indicating she would attend, canceled.
Despite Taylor-Robson’s absence, the former Arizona Regent became a big part of the event as the other candidates repeatedly called her out for her record – particularly for opposing a bill that bans abortions for genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome. One debate attendee brought a large sign up to her podium with her photo that asked, “Where’s Karen?”
Longtime radio talk show host Mike Broomhead emceed the event, which was set up by Valerie-Grosso Turley, the founder and head of America Pack. He asked the candidates about their position on the incomplete border wall. Both Lake and Salmon said they would finish the wall, saying the situation on the border has gotten so bad it constitutes an invasion which allows the state the constitutional authority to take action. Gaynor disagreed, saying due to the amount of federal land and Indian reservations along the border, he would instead recruit an army of volunteers to deal with illegal immigration, and make trespassing a felony.
Next, the candidates were asked what they would do regarding election integrity. Lake discussed a lawsuit she just filed against Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs to stop the use of Dominion voting machines in the 2022 election. Gaynor declared that the governor can’t make laws. Salmon said he supported paper ballots and hand counting, but said it would be tough to get the legislature to pass laws implementing them.
Read the rest of the article at The Arizona Sun Times
