The Texas governor’s race became heated over some issues during the first live televised debates of the election earlier this month.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison challenged incumbent Rick Perry on such issues as tax cuts, the HPV vaccine and jobs in Texas.

Also in the debates was the Republican “Tea Party’ candidate Debra Medina, who took a stand on getting rid of gun registration in Texas, eliminating private property tax and helping the unemployed.

All three agreed Texas should do more on illegal immigration. Perry said the state should fine business owners who hire workers who do not have legal work permits. Medina said the U.S. should deploy the military to the border and utilize local sheriff offices. Hutchison’s solution was to copy a system used by employers in other states for job applicants.

“The state of Texas does not even use the E-Verify system to determine if someone is legally in our country when they apply for a job,” she said. “When I am governor of Texas, we will.”

In their closing statements, each candidate told what they would do in the office of governor.

Perry said he would continue to lower taxes and generate jobs and revenue. Medina promised to restore private property ownership through elimination of property tax and reduce the size of government.

Hutchison said she would reduce the high school dropout rate, consolidate agencies and protect private property owners.

The debates aired live on KERA Jan. 14 in the Murchison Performing Arts Center at the University of North Texas. Another debate is scheduled Jan. 29.

­— Edna Horton