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Tim Pugmire
St. Paul, Minn.

Gubernatorial candidates share views at first bipartisan forum

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The Republicans and Democrats running for governor share similar concerns about hunger and poverty, but they're offering sharply different solutions.

Eleven candidates participated in a gubernatorial forum on those issues Wednesday in St. Paul. Most of the Democrats favored an increase in income taxes to pay for needed programs, while Republicans pushed for less government.

Republican state Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel claimed that safety net programs are inhibited by government regulation. Jungbauer wants churches to do more to help.

"We need to clear the way for private donations, and we need to be able to educate our faith communities to step up to the plate when you can't be taxing our citizens more," Jungbauer said. "The citizens will come to the aid of their friends and their neighbors if you explain the problem and show them how simple the solution is."

The 90-minute event was the first time 2010 candidates from both parties have shared a stage to discuss public policy. Seven Democrats and four Republicans took part.