FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Five of Indiana’s six Republican gubernatorial candidates showed up to the primary’s final debate Tuesday. U-S Senator Mike Braun opted to stay in Washington, D-C for a foreign aid vote.

And with Braun absent, many of the attacks were aimed at Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch.

Of particular focus in those attacks was her campaign’s tentpole issue, a pledge to eliminate Indiana’s income tax. Curtis Hill says the state needs a comprehensive approach to tax reform.

Brad Chambers says Crouch isn’t credible on the issue.

At that, Crouch hit back.

At times the candidates on Tuesday sparred as much with the moderator as with each other.

The Indiana Debate Commission’s format was aimed at cutting down on standard-length, canned answers. And it sought to achieve that in part by asking rapid-fire questions designed to elicit yes or no responses.

Many of the candidates took issue with that. It came to a head around questions focused on election integrity, in this exchange between Jamie Reitenour (RIT-in-our) and moderator Jon Schwantes.

Eric Doden is the one candidate who didn’t argue with the moderator or his fellow candidates. He remained focused on his campaign talking points.

Primary election day is May 7.