Corbett, Onorato face off in Pa. debate

Associated Press

HERSHEY, Pa.

Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial candidates have finished their first debate.

Republican Tom Corbett and Democrat Dan Onorato sparred in Hershey on Monday night before more than 1,300 guests at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s annual dinner.

Both Corbett, the state attorney general, and Onorato, the elected executive of Allegheny County, promised to avoid major tax increases and cut spending to balance the multibillion-dollar state budget.

Onorato called himself the only candidate who has actually had to balance a budget. Corbett said governors make tough decisions and that he’s spent his career making tough decisions. The debate was moderated by Ted Koppel.