Minnesota governor debate between Klobuchar, Demuth [FULL]

[0:00] Live from KTTC studios in Rochester, Gray Media and Fox 9 present the 2026 Minnesota [0:07] Gubernatorial Debate. Welcome to the 2026 Minnesota Gubernatorial Debate live here at KTTC in [0:16] Rochester. The only scheduled televised debate reaching every television market in the North [0:21] Star State ahead of the November 3rd general election. Voters getting a front seat tonight [0:27] to hear directly from the candidates, DFL U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Minnesota [0:32] House Speaker Lisa Damoth, both vying for your vote in what stands to be a historic election. [0:38] I'm Caitlin Alexander from KTTC. I will serve as your moderator tonight alongside panelists from [0:43] our Gray Sister stations and Fox 9 in the Twin Cities. So let's introduce them. Corin Hoggard from [0:49] Fox 9, Stacey Steinhagen from KEYC in Mankato, Bobby Fallett from Valley News Live covering Western [0:55] Minnesota and Laura Lee from KBJR in Duluth. So now to our rules tonight. Shortly you will each get [1:02] two minutes to introduce yourself to our viewers. Then our panelists will begin asking for carefully [1:07] our carefully selected questions we've written together and with viewer input. You'll each get [1:13] 90 seconds to respond. We will alternate who responds first. I am willing to offer you extra time for [1:18] rebuttals, especially listening for if your opponent invokes your name or references you specifically [1:23] that merits additional time for you to respond. Please use them sparingly. We have a lot to cover [1:28] tonight. Additionally, I or our panelists may wish to ask you a follow-up question at any point [1:33] throughout the night. I'll award extra time for those responses as well. You'll each get one minute [1:37] for closing statements. Both campaigns have agreed to tonight's format and rules. But now time to hear [1:43] from our candidates. There was a coin toss tonight to determine who goes first for an opening statement. [1:48] The first remarks will be Speaker Daymeth. You'll also deliver your closing remarks first. We'll [1:53] remind you of that as we get closer. Speaker, we begin with you. You have two minutes. [1:57] Good evening. It is my pleasure to be with you tonight. Every Minnesotan knows that the status quo [2:03] is not working. When we look around our state, we see a state in crisis. We see an estimated $9 billion [2:12] in fraud. We see exploding Somali gang violence. We see declining test scores. We've seen increasing [2:23] taxes. And our business climate and economy here in the state is falling. 20 years ago, [2:31] Amy Klobuchar said that she would bring down health care costs. But those have only increased. [2:37] She said she would stop earmarks. Yet she has supported earmarks for known fraudsters. [2:43] And when Tim Walls announced his run for a third term as governor, Senator Klobuchar said that he was an [2:50] incredible governor who has delivered for the state of Minnesota. You can't get any more out of touch than [2:57] that. The question Minnesotans will face with this election is who do you trust to get us out of this [3:08] mess? The Minnesota leader who has proven and has cracked down on fraud, has made sure that we are [3:25] cutting taxes and we have increased penalties on violent crime. Or the 20-year D.C. politician [3:36] who ignored fraud, increased our health care costs, and is actually Tim Walls' pick as candidate. [3:49] A vote for Amy Klobuchar is a vote for a Tim Walls third term. Minnesota needs a fresh start. [3:56] I am the proven leader that can bring us forward with the changes that Minnesota needs. [4:01] And that is time. Thank you. Senator. [4:05] Thank you. And thank you for having this debate tonight. I'm excited to be in Rochester and I'm [4:10] excited to that this debate is reaching everyone in every corner of the state. Given that I visit all [4:17] 87 counties every year, I believe you need to meet people where they are, go not just where it's [4:23] comfortable, but sometimes where it's uncomfortable and you don't agree with everyone all the time. And [4:28] that's the kind of governor I'll be. Many of you know my story. I grew up in Plymouth. My husband's [4:35] family is not far from here in Mankato and my dad grew up in northern Minnesota. I went into the private [4:42] sector for over 10 years and then I ran Minnesota's biggest prosecutor's office, which is going to be [4:48] very helpful when it comes to having a governor who's going to be able to root out the fraud, which is [4:55] such an important thing right now to gain the trust of Minnesota voters and to get through the red tape [5:03] and make our state work again. In the U.S. Senate, I have been number one for bipartisan bills, number [5:11] three for passing bills into law. I believe that you got to find common ground with people. And while [5:16] we'll debate some of the things that my opponent just raised, I want you to know this. I'm going to [5:22] get things done. I don't like the status quo. I hate the status quo. I'm someone that believes you [5:28] need to move forward. I don't want to move the state to the left or the right. I want to move the [5:33] state forward. And to me, that means cutting through the red tape, rooting out the fraud with a top to [5:38] bottom audit from day one. To me, that means making sure that we bring down costs for things like [5:45] health care premiums and prescription drugs and building 100,000 more units of housing from [5:52] apartments to single family. I am committed to that with my running mate, who's the former mayor [5:57] of Fergus Falls across the state. I will do my job without fear or favor. And I hope to earn your [6:04] support. Senator, thank you. Now to our questions tonight from our panel. You both touched on this [6:11] in your opening statement. Speaker Damath, you will be the first one to answer. But [6:15] fraud has riddled the state of Minnesota for several years now. Our viewers ask us [6:22] repeatedly about it. So what is the one thing you'll do on day one in office to combat fraud [6:30] that's been exposed in Minnesota, specifically looking for procedures that you'd put in place [6:35] to impact accountability? Fraud has been at the top of mind for all Minnesotans. And it's important [6:44] for you that are watching and listening to know that I respect taxpayer dollars. The dollars that we [6:50] take in as a state are meant to serve the people of Minnesota. That can be for our schools, our roads [6:57] and bridges, the most vulnerable among us. But fraud unchecked here in the state of Minnesota [7:03] Minnesota has gone far too long. And it has finally come to the surface. The thing that I will do on day [7:10] one is I am going to be firing all commissioners, choosing new commissioners that are expert in their [7:16] field that will carry out the accountability and transparency that is needed in our state. [7:23] We have to change the culture of fraud. Whistleblowers within state government have been shut down for far [7:32] too long. And I am the type of person as I've led within the House of Representatives as Speaker led in [7:40] business to make sure that I respect the people that are working alongside me. When there is a level of [7:46] disrespect for the workers that are there, they don't have the opportunity to expose the fraud for [7:52] where it is. But changing the culture of fraud and waste here in the state government and making sure [7:59] government is working for the people of Minnesota instead of the people of Minnesota being taken [8:05] advantage of and disrespected. That is a change that I will be making as governor of Minnesota. [8:10] And that is time, Senator. [8:12] Thank you. The fraud is simply unacceptable. And as a former prosecutor, I'm going to send those [8:19] fraudsters to jail. Tim Walls should have caught the fraud earlier, and he should have done more. [8:25] He said it himself. And by the way, when my opponent references Tim Walls, I will say one thing. [8:32] He is not seeking a third term. I am the one up here. I'm the one to deal with. I have a very [8:38] different experience with working in the private sector for over 10 years and being a prosecutor [8:43] and sending fraudsters to jail. When I look at what we need to do, the top to bottom audit, [8:49] an entirely new team that I will bring in. Protections to whistleblowers, an issue I've worked on [8:54] extensively in the United States Senate, but more. We need to vet these contracts before they come in. [9:01] And there needs to be surprise audits. You can't just do them by Zoom. People need to show up at [9:06] these places and make sure that they're delivering the service so that the people that need the [9:11] services get them. And then finally, we need to have a list of the fraudsters so they never come back [9:17] again. And that is what I will do. I am committed to this. And when I heard about the fraud, what did [9:22] I do? I called the U.S. attorney and got a bunch of new prosecutors for them, which they needed to [9:27] complete their work and prosecute these cases. Speaker, another 30 seconds for you to respond. [9:33] I saw your signal. Thank you. You heard Senator Klobuchar say that she realizes Tim Walls is not on the [9:41] ballot. What we haven't heard from Senator Klobuchar is how she has separated herself from Tim Walls. [9:46] She never has once come up with a policy that she disagrees with Tim Walls on. The other piece is [9:54] even if she made a phone call on fraud, where was she? There was no press release. There was nothing [10:00] to say that she was protecting our federal taxpayer dollars. She was silent on fraud until Tim Walls [10:06] asked her to run for governor here in the state of Minnesota. All right, Senator, I saw your signal [10:11] for a rebuttal as well. Thank you. This is absurd. What I have done is when this [10:16] came out, I called the U.S. attorney, Andy Lugar, and I said, what do you need? And he said, I need [10:23] more prosecutors. I called the highest level of the Justice Department, and I got him those [10:28] prosecutors. And how do I different than Tim Walls? You have not come up with one way you differ [10:34] from Donald Trump. I have been clear. I wouldn't have pardoned the sex offender. I would have put more of the [10:39] surplus money into infrastructure and technology. And yes, I would have caught the fraud earlier. [10:44] But you, when asked just a few months ago, could not differentiate yourself in any way from Donald [10:51] Trump. I think that's a serious problem because we don't need a rubber stamp of Donald Trump in the [10:56] governor's office. I can't allow more rebuttals on this one. We want to get to more topics tonight. [11:00] Stacey. We are sticking with this topic. You mentioned day one what you'll do with fraud. This [11:04] question going to Senator Klobuchar first. So in the wake of all of this, how do you rebuild trust [11:10] in Minnesota? Trust is earned. And if we want to make sure that people trust our government again, [11:20] we have got to get rid of the fraud. And to me, getting rid of the fraud means following through [11:25] on my plan from day one with a top to bottom audit. But there's more than that. We need to cut through [11:32] the red tape right now. It takes too long for small businesses to get things approved. It takes [11:38] too long for people to get housing started. And we can do so much more in housing. It's exciting [11:43] because it's going to bring down the cost of housing. Then we have to balance the budget and make sure [11:49] we're serving people. And if things don't work, I'm going to get rid of them or I'm going to fix them. [11:55] If they work, we'll keep them. But that's what this top to bottom audit is about. It's about changing [12:00] the status quo. Speaker. Trust in Minnesota is something that has been sorely [12:07] taken advantage of by Democrat leadership here in the state of Minnesota. I was already fighting [12:13] fraud my very first term in the legislature. I carried a bill in 2019 as a brand new legislature, [12:20] as a brand new legislator, because I had been hearing that there were child care centers without [12:25] any kids in them. Now that would have required daily attendance records. Democrats didn't want to [12:30] talk about it. As we moved forward, trying to combat fraud, being in the minority party [12:36] at the time, it was eventually called racist. Now, fraud does not have a race. It is crime [12:42] and we need to protect taxpayer dollars. So I wasn't just talking about fraud. Now, as your [12:48] candidate for governor, I was talking about it as soon as I came into the legislature. The way [12:53] that we protect our taxpayer dollars is respecting people that work for us. It is making sure that [13:00] the dollars go to those in need and having internal controls. If you commit fraud in the state of [13:07] Minnesota under my administration and you are convicted, you will go to jail and you will be [13:13] prevented from any further social services program here in the state of Minnesota. It is fool me once, [13:20] shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. And Minnesota has been fooled too many times [13:25] by the inadequate leadership here in the state of Minnesota by Democrats. Next question. And next topic [13:33] as well. We want to move on to the question of affordability. Residents in Moorhead, for example, [13:39] can cross the Red River into Fargo, North Dakota, find a different tax environment. When it comes to [13:47] income taxes and the overall cost of living, what specific policies would you pursue to make staying [13:53] in Minnesota, more attractive to workers and families? House Speaker, Damon. When I have visited both [14:02] in Moorhead and our other bordering communities, that is a problem that we've heard, where people can go [14:08] over the border and the cost of living is less. When it comes to housing, we know that a house can be built [14:16] for $40,000 less in Wisconsin as opposed to here in Minnesota. Now we have great economic [14:25] opportunities in the state of Minnesota, but because of the uncertainty and the pressures put on by [14:31] Democrat control here in the state. We have mandates on our businesses. We have increasing taxes, [14:38] yet you've seen an estimated $9 billion of taxes. So making things affordable and respecting people [14:46] is the start and how I will lead as governor. I'm looking at a blue ribbon commission to make sure [14:51] we're identifying why our property taxes are so high. Part of the reason our property taxes are so [14:58] high is those mandates pushed by the state onto our cities, counties and school districts. I'll be [15:04] bringing car tab fees down to $99 so Minnesotans can keep more of their hard earned money. I will work [15:12] with people all over our state to make our state affordable, understanding how important that is for [15:18] those in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, schools, our small and large businesses. Minnesota [15:26] is open for business under my administration. It will be a business friendly state, not an anti-business [15:32] rhetoric and decision making that you've seen under the Democrats. Senator Kulbuchar, your response. [15:39] Thank you. I'm not going to raise taxes and if I can, I will lower them, including on Social Security, [15:47] because I believe that with the headwinds we're seeing right now from Donald Trump, [15:53] from the tariffs that my opponent has said are effective, which amount to a $2,000 tariff tax [16:00] on every family in Minnesota, from the war in Iran, which I have voted against now 14 times, [16:07] which he waited months to come out against, which has raised the price of gas by $500. I view those [16:14] things as headwinds, but not excuses. When I am your governor, I'm going to do a comprehensive view [16:19] review of all of our taxes, make it fit the modern world and make it fit your lives. And mostly this [16:25] means bringing down your health care premiums and bringing down the cost of child care. I suggest [16:32] you go to my website at amyklobuchar.com and compare it to my opponents and you will see what a real [16:38] health care plan looks like. Thank you. You both mentioned taxes in both of your speeches and [16:47] responses. We know the cost of living right now for Americans and Minnesotans is very difficult for [16:52] for folks. Minnesota gas tax is currently 32.6 cents per gallon, about double the federal tax [16:58] at 18.6 cents. Do you support temporarily suspending the state gas tax? Why or why not? And do you support [17:06] year-round E15? We're going to start with you, Senator. Sure. Of course, I support year-round E15. [17:13] I'm one of the authors of that bill. And biofuels is an important alternative here and it will help us [17:20] bring down costs. As far as our gas prices right now, the gas tax is what 32 cents a gallon, but the [17:28] increase that you have seen since the day that Donald Trump has started this war is $1.50. So while [17:35] I'll look at it, I can tell you the fastest way to bring down your gas prices and that is to stop [17:41] this war in Iran. That is it. Beginning, middle and end. And when you look at what my opponent brings [17:49] up when we had a debate earlier this week, she actually brought up and blamed it on the Keystone [17:54] pipeline. Then she blamed the health care costs on Barack Obama. I don't know what will be next, [18:01] maybe Thomas Jefferson. But what I know is that Minnesotans understand what's happened at the pump. [18:07] They get that it was $2.79 before the war started. Now it's over $4, $4.25. Diesel prices are even higher [18:17] at $6. That's what they're dealing with. We have got to do everything we can with biofuels and with [18:23] bringing down the cost of living. But the fastest way to bring these gas prices down [18:28] is to end this war and everyone knows it. Speaker? I do support year-round E15. [18:36] When we look at gas prices and the overall cost of things here in Minnesota, [18:41] it is because Democrats in the state of Minnesota have exploded our budget. Our budget in the state [18:46] of Minnesota has increased. It has doubled in 10 years. You have to ask yourself as you're watching [18:52] tonight. Have you had double the benefits from the government? Do we have double the roads? [18:59] Are schools twice as good? That is not the case. We do not have a revenue problem here in the state [19:05] of Minnesota. We do have a problem with spending here in the state of Minnesota. As far as our gas prices, [19:11] part of the reason that they have exploded is the fact that there's an automatic gas inflator put on. [19:19] That is something that I have said that I will pull down immediately. And that's an important [19:24] thing to look at. We can talk about that Keystone pipeline that my opponent has voted against. That [19:30] would have brought in 830,000 barrels of oil. It would have helped with the supply that we have here. [19:37] Yet she voted against it. But you have to ask yourself, why are things so expensive here in [19:42] Minnesota? They were expensive because of overspending by a one party control in 2023 and 2024. [19:50] I will bring down prices. I will right size our state budget and make sure that you can afford your [19:57] lives that you can grow, thrive and businesses will be coming to Minnesota to provide the jobs that are [20:03] needed. It's common sense. And that's the decision that you have to make as you're looking to this [20:08] election this year. And that is time, Senator, 30 seconds to respond. Minnesotans are well aware [20:13] of what's going on here with these tariffs that my opponent has said are effective for this state. [20:18] What? We've seen a 13 percent decrease in exports. We've seen a 20 percent decrease of people from [20:25] Canada just coming over to go to our restaurants and go to our hotels, particularly in northern Minnesota. [20:31] What have we seen with health care? We've seen eight million people tossed up their health care. [20:35] Your premiums going up something like 700 bucks a year for people that are on the individual [20:41] marketplace. It is very clear that we need a governor who is not a rubber stamp of Donald Trump. [20:46] And we need a governor that's going to focus on you and not just do the bidding of a billionaire [20:50] from Wisconsin that's paid for 80 percent of her ads. And that is time. [20:54] Speaker Damath, as of 2024, roughly 56 percent of Minnesotans could not afford the median home [21:04] in this state. New homes, they're even more expensive. And since then, mortgage rates have [21:08] gone up from 6.4 percent to 7.4 percent. Average monthly payment up more than $200. So what specific [21:15] steps would your administration take to make this engine of generational wealth a lot more accessible? [21:22] Speaker Damath, that's for you. The accessibility to home ownership is important across our state. [21:33] When you look at the fact that you can build a home in Wisconsin for $40,000 less than you can here in [21:42] Minnesota, you have to ask the question why. We have overregulation here in the state of Minnesota. [21:48] We want safe homes and we have those. Our surrounding states also have them. When you look at why those [21:56] costs have increased, there have been too many mandates put on how things are built here, [22:01] the permitting and the other regulation. So bringing that into common sense is going to allow [22:06] more homes to be built. Now when my husband and I were first married, we had a home that we could [22:12] afford that was only 830 square feet. It was just over $20,000. Now things have changed considerably, [22:20] but the home availability for all types, whether it is multi-housing, it can be mobile homes, [22:26] individual housing, people have to be able to get in to the homes that they need. [22:33] Bringing down the regulation is the first start, but you have to look at the pressure of property taxes [22:38] that have increased that actually once you're in that home, can you continue? [22:42] We look at the pressure of taxes on our seniors. I will be ending the tax [22:46] on social security so seniors can afford the homes that they are in rather than being pressured with [22:52] our property taxes. This is an all of the above and all in reason why we need to bring down the cost [22:58] and the excessive spending that has taken place for far too long here in the state of Minnesota. [23:04] Right-sizing our budget is what I will do as governor of the state. Senator Klobuchar. [23:10] Thank you. You should be able to afford your life. And when it comes to housing, [23:15] I am 100 percent committed to work with the private sector to build 100,000 new housing units [23:22] by the end of my term if you give me your vote. That means everything from apartment buildings to [23:28] single family homes. I think that if you increase the supply like that, you're going to bring down [23:34] costs in addition to taking on some of these hedge funds that are buying out [23:38] housing and making sure that you're helping renters. There's a bill that just passed in [23:44] Washington that I worked on called the road to housing and it is the first housing bill in 30 [23:49] years and it was actually done by a conservative Republican along with Elizabeth Warren and I did [23:54] a lot of the work on the rural pieces of it. What does that mean? It's going to create and usher in [24:00] this new world where we're going to put bigger emphasis on modular homes like what you see the new [24:05] units that have been built in Grand Marais or the major apartments that have been built in Edina. It's [24:10] cheaper and it's faster manufactured homes. My husband grew up in a trailer court in Mankato. [24:16] That's what we used to call it back then and they're not your grandpa's trailer courts anymore [24:21] with all due respect to my father-in-law. They are becoming another way to expand housing in addition [24:28] to single families. I think this is exciting to work with cities across our state. We've got a workforce. [24:34] We've got to bring new people into our state. We want to build and we've got to cut the red tape and [24:39] make it easier to build these houses and I am committed to do it. This next question goes to [24:45] Senator Klobuchar first. Minnesota cancer advocates with ACS CAN are at a watch party in Eagan and have [24:51] sent this in. Not all Minnesotans have consistent access to no-cost cancer screenings including the [24:58] follow-up testing required where appropriate. Would you support legislation to require state regulated [25:04] health insurance plans to cover screenings for breast, cervical, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer [25:11] without cost sharing for the enrollee including any needed follow-up tests? Well I am very eager to work [25:17] with your viewers on this and do everything we can to make these screenings either very very inexpensive [25:26] or free. Under the Affordable Care Act I was proud to support. My opponent has criticized it. 44 million [25:34] Americans got health care. Sadly as I noted 8 million have been tossed off since Donald Trump came in. [25:40] But these screenings are everything. Both Speaker Damath and I have had breast cancer and those early [25:47] screenings mean that we're up here right now. That meant everything. The fact that they were able to catch [25:53] mine when it was just 1A and then I went on to be able to have a lumpectomy and get through all of it. [26:00] I want everyone to be able to have that kind of experience and to me that means if you want to help [26:06] people who have cancer you make sure you make those screenings available. My votes show where I stand on [26:12] this from funding for cures with the with the research both in the state and federally to the work that [26:20] I've done to make sure people are covered so I'm very eager to work with you. We need better coverage [26:25] and more affordable coverage for people in the state of Minnesota when it comes to health care. [26:30] Speaker Damath your answer. What you'll hear tonight even though the senator and I have [26:36] different viewpoints we are both breast cancer survivors and I think that is an important people [26:42] for people to realize that sometimes we can have things in common even when we differ politically. [26:48] When I was diagnosed I live in greater Minnesota so access to quality health care and I know being [26:53] here in Rochester and the Mayo Clinic and the work that is done here both the research and the treatment [27:00] can save and change lives. Access to screening and access to the care that you need when you're facing [27:08] some of the hardest times is so very important. What I will say though is we need to make sure that we [27:14] have that rural health care that we have in our largest cities and when we have people on health [27:20] care that's how they can access the screening. You will hear my opponent talk about the fact that people [27:26] are off their health care. When you look at the details of that though eligibility verification [27:32] matters very much. If people are able-bodied and can work and have their insurance and afford it they [27:39] need to but I support the screenings and I support going forward to make sure that people can live [27:45] the best and healthiest lives wherever they are in the state of Minnesota. Staying on the topic of [27:53] health care if you've spent any time in Rochester recently you know there's a lot of change happening [27:58] in downtown with Mayo Clinic's multi-billion dollar investment. However in other parts of the state [28:04] many are seeing hospitals either consolidate or in rural Minnesota health care facilities being shut down and [28:10] services ended. Many say that the state has caused burdens on particular rural health systems. [28:16] Minnesotans are counting on someone to address this. What specifically would you do to fix these [28:22] problems including keeping health care both accessible and affordable? Health Speaker Damath you're first. [28:29] I had an opportunity to work on supporting our critical access hospitals across the state of Minnesota [28:37] just this last year in the legislature. I've supported the University of Minnesota program that they have [28:44] in St. Cloud Minnesota along with CentraCare where there is the rural medical school. The purpose of that [28:51] is to train doctors for the rural areas so that when they have the ability to practice medicine they can go [28:58] out to different parts of the state. That's a very important tool that we are supporting the growing of [29:03] additional medical professionals right in central Minnesota. When we look at the cost though for [29:10] health care and some of the challenges faced by the critical access hospitals I was able to secure [29:16] additional emergency funding for those and an increase in the reimbursement so that it would help them [29:22] meet their budgets a little bit better. Now health care is a big topic and you will find my plan [29:27] on my website but it's important to realize that we're looking at all of the inputs and all the reasons [29:33] why our health care is more expensive. Senator Klobuchar supported the Affordable Care Act. She promised [29:39] that it would bring down our health care. Unfortunately we have seen anything but. All of our health care [29:45] since the Affordable Care Act has increased the health care costs to all Minnesotans. So federally it [29:52] needs to be more effective and more affordable but the things that we can do at the state level is making [29:57] sure that we have a good private public mix in the payer mix increasing the reimbursements and pulling [30:04] down the mandates that have made it harder for hospitals and clinics to both staff and do the work for the [30:10] people of Minnesota. Senator Klobuchar. We're very different on this front. I have worked to take on the big [30:20] pharmaceutical companies number one. I led the bill when it take took to negotiating and ending the sweetheart deal [30:26] they had under Medicare. It has saved under both the Biden and Trump administrations now $6 billion for [30:34] taxpayers and $1.5 billion for seniors. I'm going to take that to the state level when it comes to bulk [30:40] purchasing. My opponent on the other hand opposed the 340 B discounts, 240 B discounts when it came to [30:50] pharmaceuticals. And that is a big burden on the rural hospitals. Ask them. Instead she sided with [30:57] pharma. When it comes to premiums, if Donald Trump is not going to extend the tax credits that help [31:02] people on the individual marketplace like small businesses and farmers, I'm going to do it in the [31:08] state. Ten states have done it. New Mexico is the only state that's actually seen an increase in people [31:14] insured. That will greatly help our rural hospitals. And when it comes to something that we have not [31:19] discussed, which is reproductive health care for women, I am on their side and support their right [31:26] to make a decision with their family and their doctor. My opponent wrote the bill, authored the bill [31:31] to ban abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest and what's worse to send doctors to jail. And then she [31:40] said she would overturn the court case under our constitution that protects women's rights. We are [31:46] vastly different when it comes to health care. This next question, we're going to start with you, [31:51] Senator Klobuchar. One of the biggest issues facing voters is the need for affordable child care. That [31:56] continues to be a crisis facing much of our state. From funding cuts to staffing issues as governor, [32:03] what would you do to address this crisis? Child care. You can be the best employee in the world, [32:11] but you can't go to work if you don't have someone to watch your kid that you trust. So I have seen [32:18] the most amazing examples of this across Minnesota, especially in smaller towns. Windom that's used a [32:24] elementary school and converted it into child care. The work that Senator Smith and I to help fund the [32:30] brand new child care in La Verne, where they have over 100 kids already immediately enrolled. The work [32:37] that small business have done together to provide child care. I want to create more incentives for [32:43] these unique models from War Road to Austin to the Twin Cities. In addition, we have too many streams of [32:50] money coming in when it comes to child care. I want to streamline them and make sure that we have these [32:56] scholarships available to kids, that we do everything we can to invest in our children. And I think we can [33:04] just make this such a goal of my administration, if you'll give me that moment, because I think we can [33:10] actually improve this in Minnesota. They've done it in other states. And a far cry from my opponent, [33:16] who voted against the child tax credit that was put in place in this state. Speaker. You've heard [33:24] from my opponent that I don't support certain things in health care. She's talking about issues that are [33:31] already settled. I think it's quite rich to hear the fact that she is the one that broke the health [33:37] care system as the deciding vote on the Affordable Care Act that has driven the cost of everything up. [33:43] When it comes to child care, I have led on this issue. I first was on the early childhood committee [33:51] when I was first in the legislature looking at modernizing the family child care [33:57] rules and costs and why we were losing so many family child care providers. But I think it is also [34:02] very interesting. People want to know why is child care harder to find and more affordable. [34:10] Child care is the area that has some of the biggest fraud here in the state of Minnesota. You have not [34:17] heard my opponent differ from one policy bill that Tim Walls, who she calls an incredible governor, [34:26] has allowed to go forward. I would love to hear one bill, one area, child care fraudulent funding. [34:32] I would love to hear that if she has separated herself specifically from Tim Walls. Tim Walls allowed [34:39] the child care fraud and other fraud here in the state of Minnesota to explode to $9 billion, [34:46] never firing any of his commissioners or agency employees. But yet you have someone standing here [34:53] tonight that is supporting everything from the incredible governor as she has said he is. [34:58] Senator you requested your 30 seconds. Rewind the tape on this debate please and you will see [35:04] exactly how I said I differed from Tim Walls, including I would have caught the fraud and done [35:09] something about it. But since my opponent has raised the issue of health care, let me note something else. [35:15] She had the opportunity to cap insulin at 35 bucks a month for everyone that needs it in our state. [35:22] Instead, they came up with a band aid, which was an emergency amount for one month of insulin. [35:28] And the mother of Alex Smith, who died trying to ration his insulin, who worked at a restaurant [35:34] in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, is supporting me and has deeply criticized for her. I have worked [35:40] to bring down the cost of insulin. We've done it for seniors. I'm going to do it in Minnesota. [35:45] So please don't talk to me about bringing down costs of health care when you in fact wouldn't [35:51] even take the opportunity to bring down the cost of insulin when you could have done. [35:55] And that is time. Speaker, you also wish to respond. [35:57] Thank you very much. Just to clarify a very incorrect or untruthful lie that you just heard [36:03] was the fact that I did vote yes for the Alex Smith insulin bill. Back in April of 2020, [36:11] the governor signed it into law the very next day. The loss of life was absolutely tragic. [36:17] What you also heard from my opponent is her inability to differ or say anything different about Tim [36:24] Walls as she has called him an incredible governor who has delivered for the people of Minnesota. [36:30] Not a single policy. Have you heard that there's any difference? Candidates, [36:34] I can't allow further rebuttals on this topic. [36:36] Made a true allegation that you have seen for themselves. I disagree with Tim Walls on fraud. [36:43] I wouldn't have pardoned the sex offender. I would have put the money into infrastructure. [36:46] We are going to move on to the next question. How you use your time is your prerogative [36:50] in the next response. She hasn't said a word about where she differs from Donald Trump. [36:53] This question is for Speaker Damuth. First, Minnesota law says home care nursing [36:58] shall be covered for people with both private insurance and medical assistance. Some insurers have [37:04] recently capped coverage for children who depend on nursing to stay alive at home. Would you direct [37:09] the Department of Commerce to do anything to address their needs? When we have people in our families [37:16] that are struggling and need that home care nursing, it is incredibly important and this is a very, very [37:22] difficult and tough issue. I know that is top of mind for a number of families, people of Minnesota, [37:29] residents of Minnesota and their children. I have sat and have been a part of meetings where [37:34] the Department of Commerce is looking at this. There's insurers that are looking at this and of [37:39] course the families. You know, I just lost my dad earlier this year and although it's a little [37:46] different, it comes to that care and how desperately we need it. We had hospice for my dad and how [37:53] important that is. But when we're looking at both the availability in the medical professional, [37:59] whether it's hospice or home nursing care, we have to provide for patients and I'm willing to do that. [38:05] And we can work along with the Department of Commerce and the insurers to make sure that patients are [38:12] getting what they need. But I would never ever want to say that someone that needs the care shouldn't [38:18] get it. We need to find a way forward. I think that's a top of mind issue as a part of the whole [38:24] health care discussion going forward. But the compassion that I feel for families struggling with [38:30] this matters very, very much to me and I will continue to look for resources and solutions to [38:35] make it better for our families that are struggling. Senator Klobuchar. I always believe that the issue [38:41] of long-term care and care for those with disabilities is kind of the elephant in the room that no one wants [38:47] to deal with. Our state has done a better job than some states, but there is clearly so much more work [38:53] that we can do when it comes to this. I think there's things we can do with red tape and making [38:59] it easier to get health care coverage and making it easier to be able to build more facilities and the [39:06] like. You literally have to go through a whole process just to be able to get a new carpeting [39:11] or a new light fixture for a care facility and that's just wrong. So part of my whole top to bottom [39:20] audit is going to look at how can we make things easier for people and make it easier for you to [39:25] afford your lives, especially those who are the most vulnerable and need it the most. But I will go back [39:32] to what I asked at the last question and that is what I have from the very beginning of this campaign [39:40] and our race against each other made it very clear how I differ from Tim Walz. But my opponent literally [39:48] on a public radio station said that she can't think of any way that she differs from Donald Trump, [39:55] yet he has just endorsed her for this race for governor. So I would like to know because I don't [40:02] think we need a rubber stamp of Donald Trump in the governor's office. I think we need someone who can [40:07] get things done for you and look out for you and not him and one of his top donors who is financing [40:12] her ads, who is a billionaire out of Wisconsin, who, by the way, is a Packers fan. [40:19] An important point. Speaker, you asked for a rebuttal there. Absolutely. I think when we look at [40:25] where our state is at and the things that matter to Minnesota, again, it was decisions that were made [40:30] here in the state that has exploded the fraud and driven businesses out of our state because of an [40:37] uncertain environment in which they could start. As far as the war in Iran, I've been very clear [40:44] about talking about that it needs to come to an end soon. I have also separated when it comes to [40:49] bringing foreign beef and some of the other tariffs. Our top trading partner is Canada. What we have not [40:56] yet heard is from Senator Klobuchar, where she differs on a policy or a bill that Governor Walz [41:03] has put into place. She still calls him an incredible governor who has delivered for the people of [41:08] Minnesota. My question for Minnesotans, is your life better than it was eight years ago? That is your [41:14] time speaker. Senator, did you wish to respond there? Yeah. Well, I guess I had to quote an old, [41:18] old story from Walter Mondale. Where's the beef? I care about beef too. But when you look at what's [41:24] happening to people in Minnesota with their health care, when you look at what's happening to people [41:28] right now with their tariffs, that's the best you can come up with. I literally can't believe it. [41:34] The war in Iran, you waited and waited and waited until those gas prices were up over four bucks a [41:40] gallon. And then you then suddenly summon the courage to be able to take on the president in one way. [41:48] I just don't think that's what we want in the governor's office. You literally said, [41:52] Kristi Noem showed steady leadership when 3,000 ICE agents descended onto the streets [41:58] of our state. That is your time. I just think we need someone who's willing to work with people, [42:02] but also stand up when he does some really bad stuff. I'd like to move now to gang violence, [42:07] please. Stacey. Thank you. And then this question going to Senator Klobuchar first. More than 40 local, [42:18] state, and federal law enforcement agencies have agreed to a framework and identified resources for [42:24] responding to recent gang and group violence in Minnesota. What is your message as governor [42:28] to public safety and addressing these ongoing concerns? This is very serious. And my experience [42:36] as a prosecutor running the biggest prosecutor's office in the state of Minnesota for eight years [42:41] is going to make a big difference here. We had a gang unit. We went after gangsters. And I know what [42:47] needs to be done. I put out a full plan with standing with John Choi, the Ramsey County attorney [42:55] and police chiefs. And what we need to do here is make clear that gangsters have no place in Minnesota. [43:02] That starts with working with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, as you just outlined, using all [43:08] everything they have at their power to help people and law enforcement agencies that need it. That means more [43:16] police officers. We are literally going to be 1000 officers. We are now 1000 officers short, [43:22] and that's going to double. So finding pathways to policing like they've done in Bloomington with [43:27] Chief Booker Hodges, where he has a full out police force because he has been able to recruit people [43:33] from other lines of work, which is going to be really important for them to pursue this having [43:38] benefits and having salaries that respect the dignity of the work that our police officers do. [43:45] All of this is going to matter for bringing down gang violence, for Somali gangs and any gangs in our [43:51] state. Speaker Damath. I am the only candidate standing before you tonight that is endorsed by [43:57] law enforcement. The Minneapolis Federation of Police has endorsed me. I have always supported [44:05] law enforcement. I have never aligned myself with other representatives like my opponent has. [44:12] Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. My opponent has endorsed her. Attorney General Ellison. My opponent has endorsed [44:21] him. And they have been part of the defund the police movement. I've always supported police officers [44:29] and law enforcement across our state. After the explosion of the Somali gang violence that we've seen [44:35] that took place outside a homecoming football game in Eden Prairie, outside of a basketball net at Our Lady of [44:42] Grace in Edina, threats to the Mall of America. I wanted to make sure I didn't want just a campaign [44:49] stop or a picture or talking about it. I pulled together about 20 people for a round table. No press [44:55] was invited. I would approach the press later. But I wanted solutions. There were school officials. [45:02] There were law enforcement. There was community members. And what we know is when law enforcement is able [45:09] to do the jobs that they've been called to do and that they want to do. And they're supported by [45:14] prosecutors that will prosecute criminals and judges that will uphold the law. Our problems could be [45:20] taken care of in very short order. I have a gang task force that will be comprised of state, [45:28] local and federal officials to get a hold of this and make our state safer. And that will be statewide [45:34] ongoing, not just a response to a current tragedy. Senator, 30 seconds to respond. [45:39] My opponent's well aware that the two major police unions, Fraternal Order of Police and the Minnesota [45:44] Peace and Police Officers have stayed out of this race because presumably they have respect for both [45:49] of us when in the other races they endorse the Republicans. The other thing she knows that I [45:53] received the Major Sheriff's Award this year, the only Democrat, as well as a Fraternal Order of Police [45:59] Award for my work with law enforcement to make sure they get the benefits they deserve. But what she [46:04] hasn't told you is that she had the families in their living room, the Moyskys of Little Harper [46:09] Moysky that was killed when those bullets rained through the stained glass windows at Annunciation [46:14] Church. She told them she would give a vote, give a vote for the gun safety package, allow for a vote, [46:23] no matter how she voted on it. And she did not. She lied to them in their own living room. And I think that [46:29] matters as well when it comes to gun safety. Speaker, you requested a quick 30 seconds to respond. [46:34] I did. Absolutely. I want to correct something here and gang violence, public safety and school [46:41] safety matters very much to me. I'm a mom of four kids that were in a community, the recording [46:48] community when we experienced a gun violence and tragedy in our own school. What we were talking about [46:53] then was the need for mental health supports called bullying when that happened. And I have done that. [47:00] When I had the honor of meeting with the families that were highly impacted by the tragedy at Annunciation, [47:06] I gave them my word. I would not lie to them, but I said bills will be introduced, [47:11] they will go through the process and they will be voted on. That happened eight times. Speaker, [47:17] that is your time. I held true to my word to hear the bills. We do need to move on to many farmers [47:21] watching tonight. An important agriculture question next. Farmers are facing storing fertilizer, [47:27] excuse me, and diesel costs due to the war in Iran. Just this week, President Donald Trump [47:32] announced a new $8 billion aid package for farmers. It is similar to a $12 billion aid package comprised of [47:39] one-time payments that went out in December to help remedy expenses from tariffs. What specifically [47:45] would you do as governor to help Minnesota farmers navigate these uncertain times? [47:51] And candidates due to time constraints, I'm going to offer you both one minute to respond here. [47:55] House Speaker, Dan. Thank you. Agriculture here in the state of Minnesota is so important to our [48:03] entire economy. It's one of the lowest areas that we invest in the state. I'm looking forward to [48:08] increasing that budget when it comes to agriculture so that we can support our farmers and producers [48:15] across the state. Some of the things though that I will also do is looking for new markets so that we can [48:20] expand the products that are here. Permitting reform has held up a lot of work in the agriculture [48:27] community. So bringing down the time of permitting. I also want to know that we can approve and make it [48:34] a little bit easier for the things we can control. Property tax, the energy costs. Those are things that we can [48:41] control here at the state level where things are being figured out at the federal level as the war comes to [48:47] an end. We know also that the death tax hurts our farmers. It hurts everyone in Minnesota. They can't [48:54] pick up their farms and move. So the death tax is something that we absolutely need to make changes to. [49:00] Supporting agriculture is something I have and always will do. Senator. Well, without a check on [49:06] Donald Trump, this war is not coming to an end soon. As people go to the ballot box, they better think about [49:11] that. When it comes to our farmers, I believe that we need to find new markets for them, as the speaker [49:18] mentioned. But to me, that means things like sustainable aviation fuel, bioproducts. It also means [49:24] international markets. And since Donald Trump has started a trade war with practically every country in [49:29] the world, as governor, I'm going to do subnational agreements, which we can do with provinces, say in [49:35] Canada and open up new markets because it is so necessary right now because of this assault on [49:41] agriculture. I'm going to look at the tax system and how it affects our farmers and look at exemptions [49:47] for things like fencing and grain bins and some smart things we can do for new and beginning farmers. [49:53] Our farmers, as they have told me, are experiencing, in their words, a perfect storm of ugly because of [49:59] Donald Trump's tariffs. I will do everything to reverse them. All right, our next topic in [50:06] communities across Minnesota, including Hermantown, up north and locally in southeast Minnesota and [50:11] Pine Island. Google has proposed building data centers, creating support and backlash. As governor, [50:16] how would you address big tech proposals to build AI data centers in small municipalities across the [50:22] state? We're going to start with you, Senator Klobuchar. So I believe that we need local control when it [50:29] comes to data centers. That is first and foremost, the most important thing. So local communities are [50:35] the ones deciding this. Secondly, the legislature passed a bill on a bipartisan basis with Democrats [50:42] and Republicans that did provide some protections. And that's good because people can't be hosed on [50:48] their electric bill. That's going to be the first thing I look at. They can't have to pay for [50:52] infrastructure that a company is getting the benefit of, and they have to have their water protected. [50:57] But there is one thing, and that is that these negotiations have been cloaked in secrecy, [51:02] and we need to not have non-disclosure agreements when it comes to them so that people actually [51:08] understand what's happening before it's too late. And unfortunately, my opponent blocked the [51:14] consideration of the non-disclosure agreement bill when it came before the legislature. I have a record of [51:20] being ahead of my time when it's taking on tech. Ted Cruz and I actually passed the only [51:25] AI bill so far in the Congress about taking down porn and going after some of these tech companies [51:31] and making them take it down or they face consequences. I'm going to continue doing that [51:36] work as a governor. But I think the best thing we do is to pass a data privacy bill in Washington [51:41] and to get some things done there. But I'm eager to work with the legislature on improving the law [51:46] that was passed. Speaker, your response? Data centers are something that are not new, [51:51] but the controversy and the discussions around them have really escalated over the last couple [51:56] of years. I'm proud of the work that we did in the legislature this year making sure that we were [52:02] protecting consumer energy prices. That means that consumer energy prices will not increase because [52:09] of a data center. Now what the senator and I agree on is the local control issue. These are issues that [52:16] should be determined by local government. We have to protect our environment, but having that local [52:21] input and transparency is very important as those decisions are being made. I am proud of the work that [52:29] happened in the legislature over the last two years. You'll hear people talk about being bipartisan [52:35] and it is history making in the fact that I am the most bipartisan speaker in the state of Minnesota. [52:42] We were in a tie in the House of Representatives. Everything that was passed this last year over [52:49] two years was bipartisan and I'm very proud of that work bringing Democrats and Republicans together. [52:55] Our next topic is copper nickel mining. That is a very contentious issue both at the federal and state [53:01] level. Do you support the executive action taken this summer by Governor Tim Walz to [53:05] ban copper nickel mining across a large area of Superior National Forest near the BWCA? How would [53:12] you address it if you were to become governor? We're going to start with you Speaker Damath. One minute for [53:16] this question. The executive order that was set by Governor Walz was something that should never have [53:23] happened, but he has the authority to do it. Interesting that ban on mining and reviewing all permitting, [53:28] he didn't just do it until he's out of office at the end of this year. He extended it for 90 days. [53:34] I have said very clearly that I will rescind that executive order. I believe with our regulatory [53:40] environment and the regulatory stringent things that we have going forward, we can look at mining and [53:46] mining is not taking place in the boundary waters. We can look at mining safely here in the state of [53:52] Minnesota, safer than any place else in the country and that's what we need to do. We need to allow that work [53:59] to go forward. It provides good jobs. It's an economic boost for the iron range and as we saw, [54:05] the loss of steel production because of the uncertainty here in our business climate. We now have steel being [54:12] trucked out of Minnesota into Iowa to be finished into a finished product where we could have kept that [54:19] here. The uncertainty from the Walz administration has caused us to lose 6,000 jobs. [54:25] That is time, Speaker. Thank you. Senator Klobuchar. [54:29] I have made clear that I will protect the boundary waters and my votes in Washington show that when [54:34] there was an unprecedented maneuver to try to hurt not just the boundary waters, but all public land. I [54:40] will look forward to reviewing the executive order and I will make a decision on that after I become [54:47] governor if you give me your trust. When it comes to mining, I have the endorsement of the steel workers. I have [54:53] the endorsement of the building traits and they are strongly behind me because they know I have been with the [54:58] workers on the iron range through thick and thin, through hard times and good times. There are all kinds of [55:04] potential projects including the new mine that is just opening in Nashwalk that will be hundreds and hundreds of [55:10] jobs. Then we have got other potential on the iron range and that means everything from geothermal in [55:17] northern Minnesota to helium to hydrogen to the work that we can do on an energy future that I am actually [55:24] really excited about is adding more energy to the grid, working up in northern Minnesota with the legislators on [55:31] this and bringing down costs for the people up there. That's where my roots are. That's where my heart [55:36] is. One last question before closings ladies. Plenty of contentious moments in this debate. Let's go for [55:41] some kumbaya here. What is one policy of your opponent that you either fully agree with or you'd be willing [55:46] to work across the aisle with her as governor? 20 seconds each briefly. Senator Klobuchar, thank you. [55:54] Yes, very good. Well, I think that you heard that both of us are breast cancer survivors and I know that the [56:01] speaker has done some work in this area and I would be very excited to work with her on everything from [56:06] breast cancer screenings to making sure that we find a cure when it comes to cancer and I appreciate [56:12] her work on it. Speaker Damon. And I will also agree. So you do see a little bit of agreement here that [56:18] working on cancer screenings and the research that is needed to finally end cancer is something that I [56:24] would look forward to working on together. Thank you both. We've reached the final moments of tonight's [56:29] debate. No matter the outcome of the election, this stands to be a historic moment for the state preparing [56:34] to welcome Minnesota's first female governor. Please consider incorporating a bit about this into your [56:40] final remarks tonight. Following that coin flip we mentioned earlier, Speaker, you will begin. You each have [56:45] one minute for your closing statement. It has been an honor to be in front of you and be able to answer [56:50] questions together. I just want to get a couple of things out in the last minute. I'm a regular Minnesotan, born and [56:57] raised here. Never thought I would be running for governor, but I'm here to look forward to serve you. [57:03] That means if elected as your next governor, I would be working for the people of Minnesota. [57:10] I have respected taxpayer dollars. I have respected the work of the people that I've worked along with [57:17] and very different from my opponent who it is on record has been very disrespectful [57:23] and demeaning with people in her own workforce. That is not the culture that I want to set. [57:30] I want to set a culture that will turn the state around, protect taxpayer dollars, [57:35] end fraud, improve our education, make sure people know that we are open for business. [57:41] And I look forward to serving if given the opportunity, your trust in me as the first [57:48] female governor here in the state of Minnesota and the first black woman to serve as governor of any [57:55] state in the United States Speaker. Thank you. Senator tonight has made one thing clear, [58:00] and that is that we need a leader who's going to put Minnesota first. Yes, this is historic. [58:06] I've been the first woman county attorney, the first woman when I served in the US Senate from Minnesota, [58:11] and I'd like to be your first governor, but I don't do it because I want to be the first woman. [58:16] I do it because I want to get results for all of you. And when you look at our two records, [58:21] and I ask you to go to my website because these negative ads, including one that Fox itself looked [58:26] at of my opponent and found one lie every 10 seconds in 30 seconds. They have polluted our politics. [58:34] They are paid for by one billionaire in Wisconsin. But what I want to make clear when it comes to women, [58:41] I don't think we want our first woman governor to be someone that has such an extreme view that would [58:47] ban women's health care in the case of reproductive health care with no exceptions for rape or incest [58:55] and send doctors to jail. It is in writing in her plan. That is extreme. And we have enough extreme [59:02] things in our politics right now. You may have different views on abortion, but not many people [59:07] think we should send doctors to jail. So I am asking you, look at my plans. I want to bring [59:12] down costs. I'm excited to work on cutting through that red tape and bringing back trust by rooting [59:18] out the fraud. Thank you. And I ask for your support. Thank you to both of our candidates for [59:23] their taking part tonight. Thanks also to our panelists and to you, our viewers, for watching. [59:28] The general election is Tuesday, November 3rd. Early voting in the state of Minnesota, as we know, [59:33] is underway right now. Thank you and good night.