Governor
NEWARK, Del. (AP) - The two candidates for governor clashed on unemployment and jobs creation during a debate.
Democratic Gov. Jack Markell and Republican Jeffrey Cragg debated Wednesday night at the University of Delaware in Newark.
Markell said Delaware's unemployment rate, at 6.9 percent, is better than the national average. He pointed to financial companies, energy firms and a refinery opening or expanding in the state and bringing in jobs.
Cragg called Markell's words "spin," saying 30,000 are unemployed and 13,000 are underemployed in the state. He blamed burdensome regulations and said a stable business environment needs to be created.
Senator
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Candidates for U.S. Senate clashed on spending and the federal deficit in their second debate in as many days.
Coming off a debate Tuesday night at the University of Delaware, Democratic incumbent Tom Carper, Republican challenger Kevin Wade and others met Wednesday morning at a forum sponsored by the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber of Commerce.
The News Journal of Wilmington reports that Carper said he favors lower tax rates and the elimination of tax credits, deductions and loopholes to reduce the deficit. Wade called for wholesale tax reform.
Independent Party Candidate Alex Pires said federal budget reform should begin with cuts to subsidies for special interests. Green Party challenger Andrew Groff said Carper and his colleagues should have stopped runaway spending.
