Governor candidates trade sharp criticisms, 'posturing' accusations in debate

SALT LAKE CITY — GOP Gov. Gary Herbert accused his Democratic challenger, Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon, of "political posturing" Thursday during their second debate.

Sitting in front of a noisy partisan crowd just outside the Main Street studios of the debate's sponsor, KUTV News, Herbert wagged his finger and shook his head at Corroon.

"There you go again, Peter," the governor said repeatedly throughout the half-hour live broadcast, telling the crowd the mayor is "not interested in the facts. This is all about political posturing."

Corroon kept coming back to the controversy over what influence campaign contributions to the governor have had on state contracts, including the one for the record $1.7 billion reconstruction of I-15 through Utah County.

Asked about the governor's call Wednesday for a state audit of the Utah Department of Transportation, Corroon said what's wrong is what's happening in the governor's office.

"This is not about UDOT," the mayor said. "This is about activities going on in the governor's office. They're using the governor's office for campaign purposes. That's dead wrong. We need to change it. It stinks."

Herbert, who received $87,500 in campaign contributions from members of the winning bid team for the I-15 contract, interrupted Corroon as he was explaining no one knows if the governor influenced that decision.

"We do know," the governor said, calling on Corroon to sort through what he described as pallets of paperwork on the bid assembled by UDOT. "The right bid happened. Whether I got any donation from one of the members of the winning bid is irrelevant."

The mayor countered that it was "completely relevant. I'm not questioning anybody's integrity. I'm questioning your judgment and leadership on this issue."

Later, on the topic of taxes, both candidates interrupted each other to deny they'd raised any taxes.

Herbert said Corroon raised taxes on county residents by implementing a police fee. Corroon said Herbert did the same by allowing a cigarette tax hike to take effect.

At one point, an audience member shouted, "Put the boxing gloves on." Most of the comments from the crowd, however, were limited to cheers.