Gubernatorial candidates debate in Pueblo
Gov. John Hickenlooper and Republican challenger Bob Beauprez tried to sway undecided voters during Thursday night’s debate at Memorial Hall.
KRDO NewsChannel 13 spoke with voters who were undecided before the debate about the issues important to them.
“One of the things that’s very personal to me is the stance on, for instance, the death penalty,” said Mary Roberts, of Penrose.
“I’m leaning to the right just because of the whole [Nathan] Dunlap issue and the gun issue that’s come up,” said Sean Anderson, of Pueblo.
The candidates were asked what they plan to do to improve the economy in southern Colorado.
“We gotta have partnerships like with Pueblo Community College and the partnership they have with EVRAZ to make sure that EVRAZ gets people trained for the jobs that are needed,” Hickenlooper said.
Beauprez said, “I’ll tell you how to help Pueblo, just like I helped my little small community of Lafayette – by lifting up entrepreneurs, by getting out of the way of business.”
One of the most heated conversations of the night was when Beuaprez challenged Hickenlooper on changing his stance on the death penalty by granting a temporary reprieve to convicted killer Nathan Dunlap.
Hickenlooper said, “I think there’s some legitimate issues about whether government should take a life.”
“Nathan Dunlap was sentenced by a jury and he was sentenced to die. And he’s gone through 20 years of the appeals process and it’s time for a governor who will make the tough decision, and ladies and gentlemen, I will,” Beauprez said.
Roberts was undecided before the debate. She said the death penalty is personal for her because her father was murdered. KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked Roberts who she was leaning toward voting for after the debate.
“I think I’m probably more with Bob Beauprez’s position,” she said.
As for Anderson, he was inclined to vote for Beauprez before the debate. KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked him after the debate who he was likely voting for. “Gov. Hickenlooper,” he said.
Next Thursday Sen. Mark Udall (D) and Rep. Cory Gardner (R) will debate at Memorial Hall in Pueblo at 7 p.m.
