The Republican and Democratic candidates vying to replace Minnesota' s outgoing governor Tim Walz sparred in their final debate Wednesday over the massive fraud scandal that has unfolded in the state, health care and rising gas prices. "A vote for Amy Klobuchar is a vote for a Tim Walz third term," Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said in her opening statement after painting Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar as the "status quo" candidate in a "state in crisis" over the $ 9 billion fraud scandal.
Klobuchar pushed back in her opening statement, saying, "I don't like the status quo. I hate the status quo." WALZ'S 'EXIT INTERVIEW' REFLECTING ON HIS TENURE SPARKS LAWMAKER DEBATE ABOUT HIS LEGACY: 'NEVER SERIOUS' The first question of the debate focused on fraud, a recurring topic throughout the night, and what each candidate would do to combat it. "Fraud unchecked here in the state of Minnesota has gone far too long, and it has finally come to the surface," Demuth said.
"The thing that I will do on day one is I am going to be firing all commissioners, choosing new commissioners that are expert in their field, that will carry out the accountability and transparency that is needed in our state. We have to change the culture of fraud." Klobuchar attempted to distance herself from Walz when addressing the issue. "The fraud is simply unacceptable and as a former prosecutor, I'm going to send those fraudsters to jail," Klobuchar said.
"Tim Walz should have caught the fraud earlier and he should have done more. And by the way, when my opponent references Tim Walz, I will say one thing. He is not seeking a third term.
I am the one up here." Fraud came up again later in the debate, with Demuth criticizing Klobuchar's close relationship with Walz. "You have not heard my opponent differ from one policy bill that Tim Walz, who she calls an incredible governor, has allowed to go forward," Demuth said. "I would love to hear one bill, one area, child care, fraudulent funding.
I would love to hear that. If she is separating herself specifically from Tim Walz, Tim Walz allowed the child care fraud and other fraud here in the state of Minnesota to explode to $9 billion, never firing any of his commissioners or agency employees. But yet you have someone standing here tonight that is supporting everything from the incredible governor, as she has said he is." Klobuchar responded, "Rewind the tape on this debate please; you will see exactly how I said I differed from Tim Walz." In another tense moment, the candidates turned to rising gas prices, with Klobuchar attempting to link Demuth to the policies of the Trump administration.
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