Jack Hatch in 2014 Iowa Governor's race

On Local Issues: Let market forces decide on new casinos, not politics

Hatch expressed concern that the panel used "a reason and rationale that is not in the statute" in looking at "cannibalization" and the preservation and protection of existing casinos' profits in deciding license applications and casino locations. "That is being interpreted by the chairman of the gaming commission. That's beyond his authority. My chairman would not have that," Hatch said. "I would let the market decide," Hatch said about the placement of new casinos. "We shouldn't be picking winners and losers, and there's nothing in the state statute that says we have to protect the other casinos."

Branstad said he believed "it would be wrong for there to be political interference" in the commission's handling of licensure issues.

On Corporations: Focus on small business, not tax incentives to corporations

Hatch questioned tax cuts the state gave to a fertilizer plant that located in southeast Iowa, asking "why are we giving these kinds of incentives to corporations, instead of looking where job growth really is, it's in the small towns, it's in the small businesses."

Branstad argued that the deal created jobs for state residents. He also attacked the fiscal policies of the previous Democratic governor, seeking to tie Hatch to a leader that he said didn't balance the books.

On Jobs: Raise the minimum wage & cut middle-class taxes

Hatch sought to criticize Branstad's administration over a recent revelation that some former state workers were given confidential settlement payments. He also promised to cut taxes for the middle class, raise the minimum wage and increase the state gas tax to fund infrastructure spending. "There needs to be new leadership and there needs to be a fresh start in education and job development and taking care of rural Iowa," Hatch said.

Branstad said he wanted to come up with a plan for repairing crumbling bridges and roads that didn't include raising the gas tax, which he said would hurt poor Iowans.

On Energy & Oil: Solar energy grants instead of utility special interests

"Not to be controlled by the special interests of the utility companies that pressured his department to return the million dollar grant," Hatch says. "That in itself shows the interests of this governor, not so much in really renewable energy, but protecting the larger corporations at the expense of the smaller producers and the individual homeowners that could benefit dramatically from this."

Hatch says the solar industry is poised to make the same kind of economic impact on Iowa as wind turbines. "The governor has backed away from this state's ability to enter into the solar market by his refusal and his returning of a grant back to the Department of Energy that would be a modest approach to us beginning our solar energy capability," Hatch says.

On Principles & Values: Iowans are ready for a fresh start

Hatch hit the phrase repeatedly, punctuating a litany of controversies involving Branstad's administration by calling out "We need a fresh start!"

Iowa has lagged in job creation during Branstad's term, he said, and the governor has mishandled the now-closed Democratic governors," Hatch said of Branstad. "Well, let me tell you he has a created a mess that this Democratic governor is going to clean up for you."