How do 2024 candidates for Indiana governor rate Holcomb's performance? More from latest debate

Indiana Republican candidates rated Gov. Eric Holcomb's administration and weighed in on whether Indiana should have two time zones as they covered some new ground in the second gubernatorial primary debate Tuesday.

Six candidates are running in Indiana's Republican primary, but only four qualified for the FOX59/CBS4 debate: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former commerce Secretary Brad Chambers and Fort Wayne entrepreneur Eric Doden.

Former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour are also running for the nomination. Neither polled above 5% in the Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll, which was the network's threshold for participating in the debate.

In that poll, the first independent poll of the race, Braun holds a commanding double-digit lead over his opponents, but a sizeable 43% are undecided.

So in a race where the candidates are ideologically similar, the pressure is on to find new areas of differentiation ― as well as to sharpen their attacks against one another.

Indiana governor's race: Many candidates, little time to grab voters' interest

Here's what we learned from Tuesday's debate.

How the candidates grade Holcomb

The candidates were asked to grade Holcomb's two terms in office, a touchy subject among the Republican primary voters candidates are trying to court. Their report cards varied.

• Braun: B-minus. He said economic development issues have been "OK," and education and workforce issues have "seen a lot of improvement" since Braun served as a state representative during the 2015-17 legislative sessions.

• Chambers: A. Chambers, who was previously a Holcomb administration agency head, credited the governor for approving a pay increase for state police, investing in public health and growing the economy.

• Crouch: A and C. Crouch, who serves in the Holcomb administration as his No. 2, gave an A to the state's favorable business environment and a C to the administration's response to COVID-19, particularly with lockdowns and mask mandates.

• Doden declined to give a grade: "I focus on the future. I do not grade past leaders."

Candidates attack Braun on the southern border

It was a question about whether the candidates support deporting migrants who cross the border illegally and end up in Indiana, but two of the candidates took the opportunity to nail Braun on the topic.

Chambers said Braun has "failed us on the border," citing the fact that Braun hasn't been the lead author on legislation to tackle illegal immigration. Chambers and Doden both referenced Braun's appearances and television ads on the southern border and characterized his "no" vote against the most recent bipartisan immigration bill as political.

Braun characterized Chambers' point as naive, saying that any bill on this topic would have to be brought by Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader from New York. He said he voted no because it wouldn't have done enough to curb illegal immigration.

Braun and Crouch said they would deport those who entered the country illegally to other states or sanctuary cities, similar to what the governors in Florida and Texas have done. Chambers said he'd have to evaluate the situation as it comes, and Doden said he'd follow the rule of law, without explaining further.

All candidates support IVF

The Alabama Supreme Court ruling finding that embryos created through in-vitro fertilization should be considered children under the eyes of the law has flummoxed the Republican Party and the anti-abortion movement.

All four candidates on stage said they support protecting IVF, saying it's consistent with the goal of supporting people's ability to have children. None directly answered the question at hand: whether embryos should be considered children.

They all strattled the balance of proclaiming an anti-abortion stance while wanting IVF to remain a viable option.

An openness to changing time zones for some Hoosiers

It's a perennial Hoosier complaint that Indiana occupies two time zones. Candidates were asked whether they support unifying the state into just one ― Central or Eastern.

All of the candidates are open to the discussion. Few really have a preference ― Braun said he has previously argued on behalf of the Central time zone but also said opinions on both sides are "equally weighted;" Chambers said "probably central."

Crouch, Doden flex small-town plans

The town of Andrews in Huntington County has been grappling with a drinking-water contamination problem for years. Moderators sought a game plan from the candidates as to how they'd help this specific town with this specific problem.

Doden referred to a plan of his to redirect 10% of the state's spending on economic development initiatives toward restoring small towns, working in partnership with the private sector.

Crouch called on Hoosiers in that community to reach out to her directly. She also said she'd work with the town to help them access grant money available from Office of Community and Rural Affairs set aside for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural towns.

Candidates launch familiar attacks

With fewer people on the stage, the candidates took advantage of the extra time to sling more mud, and usually Braun was on the receiving end.

Chambers criticized Braun for authoring legislation in 2020 to change qualified immunity and then changing his mind after it prompted backlash from the police community. Braun explained that he offered what could be considered a compromise when it appeared Democrats were prepared to eliminate qualified immunity altogether; he also pointed out his recent endorsements from the Indiana State Police Alliance and the National Troopers Coalition.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which Chambers led during Holcomb's administration, was again on trial. The other candidates criticized the IEDC for focusing its resources on big, international businesses ― Braun called them Chambers' "fat cat buddies," twice ― and pledged to audit the agency. Chambers said the agency already gets audited, and that for every big business that's lifted up, hundreds of smaller ones get a boost, too.

And of course, Crouch's "axe the tax" campaign got its routine spotlight. Doden said he thinks it's "inappropriate for a governor to make a promise that they can't keep," pointing out the $8 billion gap cutting the income tax leaves in the state budget. Crouch, accusing Doden of "selective hearing," reiterated that such a cut can't happen all at once. She pointed to a process already underway, initiated by the General Assembly, to cut the income tax gradually over several years. She also proposes putting excess budgetary surpluses toward that elimination.

Hill, Reitenour participate in their own way

Though they couldn't join the debate stage, Hill and Reitenour have carved out their own time to answer questions.

Hill held an hour-long virtual town hall shortly before the televised debate, where he took questions directly from the public listening in. Topics ranged from illegal immigration to Second Amendment protections to diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

Reitenour posted her own responses to the debate questions in real time on X. She also held a press conference last week decrying FOX59/CBS4 and WISH-TV's decision to exclude her from the debate.

Braun, Chambers, Crouch, Doden and Hill will participate in a WISH-TV debate Wednesday night.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana gubernatorial candidates grade Holcomb in FOX59/CBS4 debate