Colorado gubernatorial candidates face-off in debate
After months of campaigning and mudslinging, the two candidates for Colorado governor met on the same stage Friday night.
Democrat Jared Polis and Republican Walker Stapleton clashed over the issues facing the state and country. The first question asked by CBS 4 political specialist Shaun Boyd was about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and if he should be on the supreme court despite the multiple sexual allegations against him.
Stapleton, who has two young daughters, says he understood the need to investigate those claims but now it’s time to confirm.
“There is no doubt Washington has made an absolute circus out of this and now the Senate needs to vote,” said Stapleton.
Polis agreed the claims need to be checked, but says Kavanaugh should not be confirmed.
“I oppose his fundamental judicial philosophy, which I see as restricting our freedom and failing to reign in an out-of-control presidency,” said Polis.
Transportation was another big topic. Stapleton says he would not raise the sales tax to fix Colorado roads but would like to see money going toward creating better roads and bridges.
Polis says a sales tax increase is not his first choice but it might be necessary. In addition to repairs, he wants to see more money go toward mass transportation systems like buses and a light rail to make roadways less crowded.
One point that has been talked about since these two candidates won the primary is the negative political ads and how much each campaign is spending.
Polis says Stapleton is receiving millions of dollars from outside groups, and Stapleton says Polis is trying to buy your vote.
“Jared Polis has spent 20 million of his personal fortune to try and buy the election,” said Stapleton.
Polis said during the debate, “Look, I know [Stapleton] has a lot of out-of-state super PACs, Koch brothers, tens of millions of dollars.”
Tax returns were another discussion point. Both parties said they would release their tax returns if their opponent does so as well.
