Hahn and Horner square off on Almanac

Two of the Independence Party candidates for governor appeared on TPT's Almanac last night. Rob Hahn and Tom Horner discussed their campaign, out of the box ideas for state government and even took a few jabs at each other.

Hahn said he wants to create a statewide hospital system to compete with the private system. He is also is proposing a 1-3 percent tax on fast food restaurants, something he called a "fat tax."

Horner said he'd like to create a line-item in the state's budget for research at the University of Minnesota.

Both also stressed electability.

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Hahn said he's better equipped to represent the I-P in November.

"Tom referred to himself as a recovering Republican," Hahn said. "I really believe that for the I-P to succeed, the race on the ticket in November cannot be someone going through political rehab."

Horner has been a long-time GOP commentator for MPR and also worked for U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger. He replied that his experience in government is a positive.

"I don't think you solve problems by coming into a with a $35 billion budget and then it's on the job training," Horner said.

The I-P convention is scheduled for May 8th in Bloomington. Hahn said he intends to run in the primary regardless of the outcome. Horner was vague on the program as to whether he would run in the primary if he doesn't win the I-P endorsement.

You can watch the full show here.