Utah's two candidates for governor used their debate Monday night to each make a pitch for their party's presidential candidate. Their matchup came an hour before Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump squared off in their first debate.
Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican who is voting for Trump, said that despite the billionaire candidate's incendiary remarks, Clinton is unpopular in Utah, even with Democrats, and is seen as untrustworthy.
"I can't see us voting for Hillary Clinton that's going to grow government and increase our taxes, going to double down on what we have from our current administration," said Herbert. "We need somebody who in fact, will in fact, make sure we have a strong national defense and have peace through strength."
His Democratic opponent Mike Weinholtz never mentioned Clinton by name, but cited some of Trump's insults to women and minorities and a proposed temporary ban on foreign Muslims coming to the U.S. as very concerning.
"Donald Trump is immently unqualified to lead this country for many reasons, most of them being temperment," said Weinholtz. "He also says if anyone jestures the wrong way at us from the high seas he is going to blow them out of the water and start a war."
Hebert has been in office since 2009 and is considered a heavy favorite among the state's largely conservative voters.
Weinholtz is a wealthy former CEO of a medical staffing company making his first run for public office.
