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On Tuesday night, the Indiana Debate Commission hosted the second and final governor’s debate.
Republican Governor Eric Holcomb, Democratic candidate Dr. Woody Myers and Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater sparred over a range of issues, including the coronavirus vaccine, police reform and legalized marijuana.
The debate was moderated by Nadia Brown, an assistant professor of political science and African-American studies at Purdue University.
Coronavirus Vaccination
A topic of debate was the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine if it becomes available to the public. Governor Holcomb said he would not back a mandatory Covid-19 vaccine.
“It shouldn’t be mandated, but it should be encouraged when it’s safe,” said Holcomb.
Dr. Myers did not say whether he supports a mandatory coronavirus vaccination – but he did say he hoped one would be available soon.
“Vaccines are overall some of the most cost-effective and important investments we’ve made as a society,” said Myers.
Rainwater said it should be up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.
“It must be a citizen’s responsibility to determine what level of risk they’re willing to take,” said Rainwater.
On Tuesday, the Indiana State Department of Health released an interim draft of its plan to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine whenever one becomes available.
The draft plan would prioritize healthcare workers in addition to vulnerable groups, such as people over 65 years-old and those with underlying conditions.
Racial Justice and Police Reform
A highlight of the night was centered on a question from Nadia Brown on racial justice and police reform.
“What is the role of government to address and eliminate racial disparities?” asked Brown.
Dr. Myers mentioned the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed. He called for body and dash cams for police, a review of police academy training, and bias training for police officers.
“We know that we need criminal justice reform,” said Myers.
Governor Holcomb said he would appoint a cabinet-level officer of inclusion, opportunity and equity – which drew pushback from the other candidates.
“They will be in charge of making sure we remove any barriers, that we remove any hurdles and address those gaps,” said Holcomb.
Rainwater argued a cabinet position is not necessary. He said he would expect all department heads to promote diversity and inclusion.
“The governor of the state of Indiana should be personally responsible to make sure the state government is inclusive,” said Rainwater.
Dr. Myers also disagreed with Holcomb’s appointment of the position. He said he would make sure all state departments promote fairness and equity.
“Perhaps my opponent needs someone to help him understand the issues of fairness and equity,” said Myers.
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus has offered other methods to address racial justice and police reform. In a press conference two months ago, the IBLC said they want more community policing and to take police officers out of schools.
A Chalkbeat analysis of state data found that school police are 2.5 times as likely to arrest Black Indiana students than white students.
Legalized Marijuana
Both Myers and Rainwater agreed to relax the state’s marijuana laws. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “Black people are 3.64 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession, notwithstanding comparable usage rates.”
“We can start by decriminalizing cannabis and getting people out of jail and out of prison who are simply there because they possessed a plant,” said Rainwater.
Dr. Myers said he supports the decriminalization of marijuana, and he also supports medical marijuana.
“It’s time for Indiana to change,” said Myers.
Governor Holcomb does not support legalizing marijiuana – citing that cannabis is currently illegal on the federal level.
“I’ve taken a couple of oaths in my lifetime,” said Holcomb, “I don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing which laws to legalize at the state level while they are illegal at the federal level.
Rainwater strongly disagreed with Holcomb. He said he supports legalizing marijuana for recreational use as well as medical use.
“We have an economic crisis in our state and we have the ability to create new agricultural, manufacturing and retail opportunities just by legalizing and decriminalizing cannabis.
Recreational marijuana is now legal in Indiana’s neighboring states of Illinois and Michigan.
According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, marijuana is listed as a schedule 1 drug under the Indiana Criminal Code. Other schedule 1 drugs include heroin and LSD.
A poll showed that Governor Holcomb was ahead with 47 percent of the vote, Dr. Myers at 29 percent and Rainwater trailing at 15 percent. The poll comes from a Washington, D.C. based pollster and was published on Tuesday ahead of the debate with a 4 percentage point margin of error.
Nadia Brown covered a range of other issues with the candidates, including sexual assault, infant mortality, the economy, redistricting and broadband internet. For more on these topics, watch the full debate at the top of the page.
