Michigan’s Republican candidates for governor debated for the first time on September 26th at the Biennial Republican Mackinac Island Leadership Conference. The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance hosted the event, which focused on state tax, budget and fiscal issues.

“The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance was pleased to provide a format for taxpayers to hear what candidates for governor have to say about solving Michigan’s financial woes,” said MTA Director Leon Drolet. “Michigan voters need to scrutinize their future leaders more than ever before. Taxpayers deserve specific proposals to fix Michigan and straight answers.”

The debate was emceed by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Mr. Patterson directed a top-flight panel that questioned the Republican hopefuls for governor. That panel consisted of John Fund, columnist for the Wall Street Journal; Stephen Henderson, editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press; and Kathy Hoekstra of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Ms. Hoekstra is not related to Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra.

The invited GOP candidates for governor were Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Attorney General Mike Cox, Congressman Pete Hoekstra and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder.

The debate was open to Conference attendees and media, and was held at 7:30AM at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

The MI Taxpayers Alliance hosted the debate as a public service to Michigan taxpayers and does not endorse candidates for public office.

The following is video of the debate: