On Tuesday the Association of Washington Businesses hosted the first gubernatorial debate in Washington.

The debate provided insight into how both candidates would address a range of issues facing Washington. Among the issues highlighted included charter schools, Initiative 1053 repeal, and jobs and the economy.

In addition both candidates spoke to their approach to fund higher education. Inslee spoke to his goal to cap the interset rate for state-backed student loans, expand online courses, and increase partnerships with the state’s premier private colleges.

McKenna focused on the need to stop the erosion of state support for higher education and restore funding levels to their historical average, enroll more in-state students in our universities, and emphasize degree programs that align with our future job needs, such as science, technology, engineering, math, math education, business management, accounting, and health science.

No additional debates between the two candidates have been scheduled to date.