NFIB, the Indiana Builders Association, and Americans for Prosperity of Indiana hosted a gubernatorial candidate forum in Fishers today.

The event was intended to give voters a clearer understanding of where the candidates stand on small business issues ranging from taxes to regulations, NFIB State Director Natalie Robinson said.

“It was a good event and gave our members not only a better understanding of the differences between the parties but also the differences between candidates in the same party,” Robinson said.

One of the issues raised by moderator Gerry Dick, host of IBJ Media’s “Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick,” was workforce and education. “It is estimated that nearly half of all small business owners are still struggling to find qualified workers, how would you address the talent pipeline and, as part of that, maybe plug the brain drain,” the trend of many young people leaving Indiana to find work.

Mike Braun (Republican), U.S. senator

Brad Chambers (Republican), former commerce secretary and former president of Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Suzanne Crouch (Republican), current lieutenant governor

Eric Doden (Republican), president of Pago USA, a company that restores buildings in downtown areas

Curtis Hill (Republican), former Indiana attorney general

Jennifer McCormick (Democrat), former Indiana superintendent of public instruction

Donald Rainwater (Libertarian), project manager and software engineer

Jamie Reitenour (Republican), mother of five

Robinson said, “On behalf of all of our members, I want to thank the candidates and Gerry Dick for coming to this important event and addressing some of the issues that affect Main Street businesses.”