Three candidates for governor hold debate

Candidates for Oklahoma governor went head-to-head in Stillwater Tuesday evening. <br><br>The debate was sponsored by the News on Six and sister station News 9 in Oklahoma City. Sparks flew on the topic

Tuesday, October 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Candidates for Oklahoma governor went head-to-head in Stillwater Tuesday evening.

The debate was sponsored by the News on Six and sister station News 9 in Oklahoma City. Sparks flew on the topic of education, when Democrat Brad Henry accused Republican Steve Largent of trying to put rural schools out of business. Henry says his plan would benefit all school districts. â€œThat means the first step we have to take is getting our teachers up to a regional average. That's around $36,000. And we have to do it across the board, because student teachers and young teachers are leaving also." I think its time for one of those follow-ups. Steve Largent, do you want to put rural schools out of business? "No, I'll try to speak more slowly so Brad can follow me. I'm talking about. I'm talking about school administrations. We need to consolidate the hundreds of school districts, we're not shutting down any schools." The issue of negative political ads also drew some fire. Independent Gary Richardson has run TV ads critical of Steve Largent. But Richardson says Largent has attacked his character in letters to constituents. â€œYou know, the difference between Steve and me is I do mine out in public, and he does his behind closed doors, cause he does his attacks in letters." The debate was held on the campus of Oklahoma State University.