Insults were traded and reputations questioned in a feisty debate Tuesday between Nevada gubernatorial candidates Rory Reid and Brian Sandoval over the state's budget crisis, political ambitions and job experience as early voting winds down and Election Day looms.
Reid stepped up his criticism of Sandoval for not releasing a detailed a plan to balance the state's books and Sandoval reiterated charges that Reid's plan is based on "fantasy money."
In a televised debate moderated by Lori Gilbert of KENV-TV in font of a live audience at Great Basin College in Elko, the sparring began from opening statements.
Reid held up blank pieces of paper to symbolize his Republican opponent's lack of a budget proposal as Nevada faces a possible $3 billion shortfall.
He accused Sandoval of "trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Nevada voters so you can waltz into the Governor's Mansion. I think that's shameful."
He added, "I may not be Mr. Electricity, but I'm a fighter and I've offered detailed plans."
Sandoval fired back that Reid's plan "doesn't add up," and said the state needs to "reset" its baseline budget to 2007 levels of roughly $5.2 billion. He said Nevada's population has declined 3 percent over the past three years, while spending has grown 38 percent.
"Rory, let's be clear. You're budget plan doesn't add up," he said. "It doesn't balance and I think what it means is that you're going to raise taxes on the people of the state of Nevada."
Both candidates have said they won't raise taxes, and both propose giving school districts more control over spending and parental choice on where to send their kids to school.
Sandoval also supports school vouchers, arguing it would spur competition and improve all schools. Reid opposes vouchers, saying it would use taxpayer money to subsidize tuition costs at private schools only wealthy families can afford.
Reid has said his budget would preserve funding for higher education and K-12, and cut costs by consolidating state agencies, reducing administrative staff and investing in higher education to attract new industries. Critics charge that $615 million his plan counts on in new revenue is unrealistic.
Sandoval, who said in June he would release a budget plan before the election, has yet to provide specifics. During the debate, he said Medicaid caseloads continue to climb, caseloads in prisons, mental health, child welfare have declined.
"I'm going to be up front with the people of the state of Nevada. There are going to be reductions," he said.
Reid, the Democratic nominee, is chairman of the Clark County Commission and son of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. Sandoval, a Republican, if a former federal judge, state assemblyman, attorney general and Gaming Commission chairman. He left his lifetime appointment to the federal bench - a post he was nominated to by Harry Reid - in September to run for governor. Sandoval defeated incumbent Gov. Jim Gibbons in the GOP primary.
Reid called Sandoval the "biggest quitter" in the state, and questioned his motives in seeking the governorship given his "record of resigning."
Sandoval said he was proud of his work experience in three branches of government.
"Rory, you have questioned my integrity," he said. "It was a privilege to have been recommended by your father to the federal bench. And he never questioned my integrity."
The briefest response of the night was from Reid, when asked by Sandoval if he would continue the lawsuit against federal health care reform passed earlier this year.
"No I would not," Reid said, repeating his answer when asked by the moderator if he wanted to elaborate.
Polls have shown Sandoval consistently leading in polls, some by double digits, and both have raised and spent millions on the race. Reid reports raising $6.3 million, about $2 million more than Sandoval, the campaigns said Tuesday.
It was the third debate between the candidates. They will tape a fourth and final debate Wednesday in Reno, to be aired over two days on KRNV-TV's "Nevada Newsmakers."
Early voting in Nevada began Oct. 16 and ends Friday.