The primary election for Massachusetts governor is now just four days away. The hopeful Republican replacements to Deval Patrick hooked up in a NECN Broadside debate on Friday evening.
Charlie Baker and Mark Fisher are both pinned against Democrats Martha Coakley and Steve Grossman in the race for governor. The primary will be held on September 9. The two concluded debate week at NECN as they discussed a wide range of topics.
Baker is the former Secretary of Administration and Finance under former Governors Weld and Cellucci. He's also the former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Fisher currently owns Merchant's Fabrication, a metal manufacturing company.
The recent Market Basket saga was one of the topics debated by the two. Governor intervention was required to resolve the drawn out standoff. Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Gov. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire both helped mediate an end to the Demoulas’ family feud.
"I would have done what Gov. Patrick did in his level of involvement," said Baker.
Fisher on the other hand completely disagreed with Patrick's decision to get involved.
The two then shifted gears toward the recently signed gun control law. The new legislation aims to reduce gun violence.
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Baker supported the law and said he would have signed off on it. Fisher again opposed Baker, stating that he would not have.
The debate then turned to casinos and the state's pending repeal vote. Both candidates once again differed in opinion on the topic.
"I want to see the Springfield project go forward," said Baker.
Fisher on the other hand is all in favor of the casino repeal law.
"We wouldn't be even talking about casinos if we had good jobs," said Fisher.
Things became a bit testy when Fisher said there was little difference between Baker and the Democrats.
The two candidates also touched upon higher education costs in the state and ways of creating more jobs.
Fisher ended the debate by simply saying Liberals have hurt the state over the years. He hopes for the chance to carry out clear and concise ideas to help improve the Bay State if he's elected in November.
Baker supports both Democrats and Republicans on Beacon Hill. He says balance is an important thing moving forward.
On Wednesday, the Democratic candidates for attorney general debated, and on Thursday it was the Democratic candidates for governor.
