9 governor hopefuls talk issues in Provo

PROVO — The nine Republican candidates for Utah governor debated issues Thursday night, at times tossing jabs and quibbling over political stances and positions.

The debate comes two days after political caucuses chose delegates to attend the party conventions this spring. Eight men and one woman are jockeying for the GOP nomination.

Even though the candidates must woo voters, the real test is with the party's delegates, who elect the candidate at the party's convention.

At Thursday's meet, candidates responded to questions from people in the audience.

Not surprisingly, the candidates expressed conservative views. At one point, asked if they would support civil unions, all candidates, one by one, answered a quick, "No."

During the event, most of the candidates stuck to core GOP values — smaller government, fewer taxes and the so-called family values.

The nine GOP candidates are Gary Benson, Parley Hellewell, Gary Herbert, Jim Hansen, Jon Huntsman, Nolan Karras, Fred Lampropoulos, Marty Stephens and Olene Walker.

A recent Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll showed Gov. Walker and Jon Huntsman had the best chances to beat Democratic nominee Scott Matheson.

Walker recently vetoed a bill supporting school vouchers for disabled students. Some say the veto could leave many Republicans miffed at Walker for not supporting a parent's choice about where their children are schooled.

On immigration issues, the candidates said they want to secure the nation's borders.

"I do not think it should be an attraction for other people to come here and get drivers' licences," Herbert said.

But Huntsman and Lampropoulos broke from President George W. Bush's recent amnesty plan. The plan allowed for accepting non-U.S. residents for a three-year period. During that time, they could live and work in the United States.

Huntsman also said he did not support the federal No Child Left Behind, Bush's education reform.

Stephens said he would like to do away with immigrants getting driver's licences and tuition gifts from state government.

On the issue of Utah's tax burden: "We don't have to raise taxes, we just need to re-prioritize our needs," Herbert said. He said the state can do more to promote itself and attract more people.