Democratic Candidates For Governor Face Off In Final Televised Debate

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (WJZ)—Pleading their case. The three Democratic candidates for governor try to win over undecided voters in their last televised debate before Election Day.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the final push.

Monday night the three Democratic candidates debated in front of an audience of undecided voters and touched on a number of controversial topics.

With weeks to go, the race for governor heats up both outside and inside the final televised Democratic debate.

"I fundamentally disagree with the attorney general," said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.

"The lieutenant governor has a very uncomfortable relationship with the truth," said Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Lt. Gov. Brown and Attorney General Gansler trade barbs as Del. Heather Mizeur pleads her case.

"It's time for a governor that puts Maryland families first," Mizeur said.

Hot topics on the table include the botched rollout of the Health Care Exchange.

"This was the one thing that he has managed, was supposed to be in charge of, was supposed to be the leader of in his eight years as lieutenant governor," Gansler said.

State taxes:

"That tax relief for the estate tax would have never made it to Gov. Brown's desk. I would have said to the General Assembly 'Don't send me tax relief for the 1,000 richest Marylanders,'" Brown said.

And legalization of marijuana:

"Our marijuana prohibition laws have been a failure. They are enforced with racial bias, and they detract our law enforcement from focusing on our violent and serious crimes," Mizeur said.

But was it enough to sway undecided voters?

"I'm probably still somewhat undecided but moving," one voter said.

"I'm really impressed with all the questions that were asked. And I'm just still undecided on what I'm going to do," another voter said.

Now the clock is ticking for the candidates to win them over.

The primary election is on June 24.

A poll conducted at the end of April by St. Mary's College showed more than half of Maryland voters were still undecided.

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