For the second gubernatorial debate of the election season, Democratic candidate Jerry Brown and Republican candidate Meg Whitman faced off at California State University, Fresno, at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2.

The debate, hosted by Univision, was the first debate in California history to be broadcast in Spanish and to have all questions asked in Spanish. The discussion aired locally at 4 p.m. on Channel 21.

The panel’s questions pertained to the Latino community and ranged from immigration to water issues in the Central Valley.

The first topic of the debate was job creation and outreach programs for the Latino community, as well as what each candidate would do as governor to reach out to Hispanics.

Whitman said that she has had several ads in Spanish and has appeared on Spanish radio shows. She also claimed that she is an expert at creating jobs due to her 30-year experience in the private sector.

In his response, Brown described his past experience as governor and explained how he signed the first agricultural labor relations law which gave immigrants, legal or not, the power to vote anonymously in state elections.

Brown also stated that he appointed the first Latino judge to the Supreme Court of California and that he had worked closely with Cesar Chavez to improve working conditions for Latino farm workers.

The next issue to be discussed was the high rate of unemployment, especially in the Central Valley, and how each candidate planned to specifically address the current job crisis.

Brown responded by stating his history of job creation. As governor, he established the California Conservation Corps which created 1.97 million jobs, he said.

Brown believes California also needs to make greater strides in renewable energy, which he said will create jobs as well. Brown also said he would support for the California High-Speed Rail, the proposed system connecting the regions of California.

Whitman believes one of the first steps toward creating jobs is reducing taxes in California. She also stated that creating businesses should be easier, so fewer permits should be required of owners.

As one might expect, the issue of Nicky Diaz, Whitman’s undocumented former housekeeper, appeared throughout the debate, forcing Whitman to be on the defensive.

The third and final debate will be held at the Dominican University of California at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 12. The general election will be held Nov. 2.

For more photos of the debate, check out Let the debate begin. For more coverage of the election, read the Sept. 30 column, Brown, Whitman debate at UC Davis.

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