Indiana’s gubernatorial candidates face off in the 2024 final debate

Indiana’s three gubernatorial candidates met on a debate stage Thursday for the final time this election cycle and presented their different visions for the state.

Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater touched on many of the same issues they had discussed before. These include property taxes, cannabis and abortion.

But they are also breaking new ground, for example on issues such as unions, job cuts in the public sector or gun regulations.

On that last topic, McCormick highlighted a common target: Braun’s running mate, Micah Beckwith, who McCormick said is too extreme for Indiana.

“He also said he wanted his guns untraceable and unregistered,” McCormick said. “This is just scary.”

Braun declined, arguing that he had called for Indiana’s red flag law to be tightened. This law allows law enforcement to temporarily take away firearms from someone if they pose a danger to themselves or others.

“Well, she constantly goes into something other than what we’re talking about — who’s going to run the state,” Braun said. “And my record on all of these issues is clear.”

READ MORE: What do I need on Election Day? The general election will take place on November 5th

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Rainwater tried to differentiate himself from his two opponents. On the gun issue, that meant opposing red flag laws.

“Because we are so close to our government, and because we go to this church or are a member of this organization, they tell us that we have a spiritual defect and that is why they have to take our weapons,” Rainwater said.

Election day is November 5th.

Brandon is the head of our Statehouse office. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.