Klobuchar, Demuth face off in final governor debate

As we quickly approach Election Day, Senator Amy Klobuchar and House Speaker Lisa Damus making their case to the Minnesota voter in their final debate before Election Day. Our Bill Keller joins us live in St. Paul with more on what the candidates had to say on some of the big topics, some of the hot-button issues facing voters. Bill, good morning. Good morning, Tom and Kelly. Well, hard to believe, but the midterms just 12 days away, and when Minnesotans do head to the polls, they'll be faced with quite a bit of important decisions, including who should fill the governor's office for the next four years. The state's two candidates squared off last night in Rochester for an hour-long debate. It aired right here on Fox 9. Now, in her opening statement, House Speaker Lisa Damuth called Minnesota a, quote, state in crisis, while mentioning declining test scores and rising taxes. Senator Amy Klobuchar said she hates the status quo and wants to move the state forward, not left or right. Both were asked about some of the top issues on the minds of voters, including things like fraud, the cost of health care, and the record high prices at the pumps. As far as our gas prices, part of the reason that they have exploded is the fact that there is an automatic gas inflator put on. That is something that I have said that I will pull down immediately. And that's an important thing to look at. The gas tax is, what, 32 cents a gallon. but the increase that you have seen since the day that Donald Trump has started this war is $1.50. So while I'll look at it, I can tell you the fastest way to bring down your gas prices, and that is to stop this war in Iran. That is it, beginning, middle, and end. Now, as a former prosecutor, Klobuchar said she's the best candidate to root out fraud, vowing to put any fraudsters in jail, saying that Governor Walz should have done more about fraud, promising an audit from top to bottom starting on day one. Lisa Damuth said she would combat fraud by firing all the commissioners and replacing them with new ones. She went on to say that whistleblowers within state government have been shut down for too long. In addition to deciding who will become Minnesota's first female governor, every seat in the Minnesota legislature is also up for grabs. And of course, the midterms will decide the balance of power in Washington, D.C. Tim and Kelly. That includes filling Tina Smith's open Senate seat. Back to you. Yeah, all right. Bill Keller first there at the Capitol. Thank you.