Candidates for Ga. governor spar

ALPHARETTA (AP) — Five of the leading Republican candidates for governor squared off in a debate Thursday night, sparring over their conservative credentials.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine’s came under fire from several GOP opponents who suggested insurance monopolies have sprung up under his watch, burdening consumers with high rates.

Former Secretary of State Karen Handel said that rates will improve if you get “a good solid business minded individual as your next insurance commissioner.”

State Rep. Austin Scott, of Tifton, said that some businesses haven’t to come to Georgia because of high insurance rates.

“I’m sure that will change with the next insurance commissioner,” Scott, of Tifton, said.

But responding to a question about whether Georgians should be able to purchase health insurance across state lines, Oxendine said he has the consumer’s back.

“One person, and that’s John Oxendine, said we need to protect Georgia consumers,” he said.

A discussion of taxes provided some fireworks as all the candidates sought to showcase their fiscal conservative stripes.

Scott called on U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal to “cast a tough vote” in Congress by approving a balanced budget.

Deal shot back that Scott should “get his facts straight” and said he voted to balance the budget under House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Former state Sen. Eric Johnson said he has “never voted for a net tax increase in my career.” Records show he voted to approve the state’s last cigarette tax hike approved in 2003 but aides said afterward the bill included tax cuts for seniors and teachers

Handel, of Roswell, sought to stand apart from the other candidates saying she is “a lifelong Republican.”

“I didn’t become a Republican out of expedience or convenience,” Handel said.

Deal and Oxendine were once Democrats.

Johnson said his experience as an architect in Savannah made him uniquely qualified to create badly needed infrastructure jobs in the state.

Oxendine, of Duluth, drew some of the loudest applause of the night when he said he supports abolishing the income tax.

All the candidates expressed reservations about a proposal in the state Legislature that would allow betting on horse racing in Georgia.

“You can’t gamble your way out of a recession,” said Deal, of Gainesville.

Handel opposed horse race betting outright. But Scott said he trusted the voters to decide the issue. The proposal — a constitutional amendment — would need to be approved by voters at the ballot box.

The debate was sponsored by Beacon Media.

Party primaries Georgia are July 20.

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