John Norris, Andy McGuire, Ross Wilburn, and Cathy Glasson speak at a Democratic governor candidates forum at Lake Darling. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

Water quality, gun violence, and immigration were some of the topics discussed at a forum held for the candidates running for the Democratic nomination for governor Wednesday night.

Candidates Cathy Glasson, Andy McGuire, John Norris, and Ross Wilburn attended the forum held at the Lake Darling Lodge. Candidate Fred Hubbell was not in attendance, and neither was Nate Boulton, who suspended his campaign Thursday after sexual harassment allegations surfaced. McGuire addressed the allegations, stating sexual harassment of any kind cannot be tolerated anywhere, “It does not matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican, if you are a man or a woman, no one deserves the sting of feeling devalued as a human being. We cannot criticize others and condone such behavior inside the Democratic party. It’s not enough to apologize and move on. For the good of the Democratic party and for the good of the future of our state Nate Boulton should lead by example and end his campaign.”

Wilburn agreed that Boulton should step out of the race, and Glasson commented that we need a governor we can trust.

Two weeks after immigration and customs enforcement officers arrested 32 immigrants in Mount Pleasant, the candidates discussed the sanctuary cities bill that was signed into law in this year’s legislative session. Norris said Iowa should be a welcoming state for immigrants, “When I was asked at the young democrats debate in Des Moines about a month or two ago, ‘What’s the one issue you’re willing to not bend on and lose over if you have to?’ My answer was to stick up for our new immigrant population, because we have to see them not that we’re just providing them an opportunity they’re providing us an opportunity as well.”

The forum was hosted by the Washington, Henry, Jefferson, and Keokuk County Democrats. Democratic candidates for State Auditor, State Senate District 41, and State House Districts 78 and 84 also spoke at the forum.