Alex Trebek, the award-winning “Jeopardy!” host, moderated a gubernatorial debate between incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP challenger Scott Wagner at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry on Oct. 1.
Trebek adopted a conversational format as he pressed the contenders on their platforms and needled them on campaign trail mudslinging.
“Here is a question for each of you, it’s a yes or no question: Have you ever said anything negative about your opponent that you knew was not true?” the iconic gameshow host asked both discussants.
Wagner replied “No.”
Trebek pressed the incumbent. “Governor?” he asked.
“Not that I remember, no,” replied Wolf, to audience laughter and boos.
“I try to do the right thing,” Wolf said, the Inquirer reported.
Wolf, who leads in the polls, is seeking re-election for a second term.
Wagner relinquished his position in the Pennsylvania Senate as a representative of a York County district in order to try and oust the incumbent. He criticized Wolf for his unwillingness to participate in more debates.
“The mothers and fathers that have had a loved one die of opioid addiction—they want to talk to the governor,” Wagner said, according to the Inquirer.
“I hope people get an understanding of the breadth of issues that one of these two gentlemen will have to deal with beginning in January of 2019,” Barr said, according to the report. “Hopefully, there will be a better view among the electorate of what Pennsylvania needs to do to become a more prosperous, livable place and that we'll hear those issues discussed.”
The candidates rarely went in-depth on any of the issues, with the exception of the death penalty.
Wolf imposed a moratorium on capital punishment when he took office and has stood by that decision.
Wagner has called for mandatory capital punishment for school shooters and said “We’re going to get tough in this state.”
Trebek asked the governor to point out his challenger’s shortcomings.
“This democracy is best served by people who can be trusted,” said Wolf. “In public service, we cannot do things that we might do in private sector, we have to do things in a more transparent and open way,” said Wolf, who criticized Wagner for refusing to release his tax returns.
Wagner, who owns a nonunion, waste-hauling business, has said that his income is nobody else’s business and suggested that labor unions might use it to try to turn his employees against him.
Wagner contended during Monday’s debate that businesses are best served by fewer bureaucratic constraints.
“How about if we try something new?” Wagner asked. “How about if we start treating the businesses that are here like customers? And start being more business friendly? Roll back some regulations? And let us grow our businesses.”
Trebek has won five Daytime Emmy awards for outstanding game show host as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The iconic TV personality has hosted over 7,500 “Jeopardy!” episodes and holds the Guinness world record for the for most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.
