Republican Andy Biggs and No Labels nominee Teri Hourihan used an Arizona gubernatorial debate Tuesday to challenge each other on water policy, a bill involving a polygamous border community and allegations tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs declined to take part, while Green Party nominee Risa Lombardo did not appear. The debate, hosted by the Arizona Clean Elections Commission, came as early ballots were scheduled to go out Wednesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Biggs, a U.S. representative, repeatedly criticized Hobbs for skipping the event, calling her absence disqualifying. Afterward, Hobbs campaign manager Nicole DeMont accused Biggs of avoiding questions about his record and criticized his support for tariffs and votes related to Iran. Hourihan, a counselor and health care business owner, opened by asking Biggs about an allegation circulating in online recordings associated with the Epstein case. Biggs denied it, called it false and said he had voted in Congress to release Epstein-related files. A Snopes review cited in coverage of the claim found no credible evidence supporting the allegation. Water policy was another point of sharp disagreement. Biggs blamed Hobbs for Arizona’s recent reductions to its Colorado River allocation, citing a cut of 765,000 acre-feet. He argued the state has substantial groundwater storage and said public discussion of the cuts can cause unnecessary alarm. Hourihan countered that Biggs does not take the state’s water challenges seriously. She warned that his approach could allow large companies, including foreign businesses, to expand development without sufficient regard for limited water supplies. The candidates also disputed Biggs’ handling of a 2013 bill concerning the Colorado City Marshal’s Office. The House-approved measure would have allowed Arizona to disband the office, which had been accused of protecting leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The measure stalled in the state Senate while Biggs was Senate president. Hourihan said Biggs failed to protect children by allowing the bill to die. Biggs rejected that charge as a lie and said law enforcement agencies had opposed the proposal because it was too broadly written. He has previously said he supported a 2012 measure to decertify the marshal’s office but opposed the 2013 bill because of its wording. In closing, Biggs said he would accept the election outcome and would certify it. That assurance carries added significance given his role after the 2020 presidential election: he backed former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen and voted to reject Arizona’s electoral votes for Joe Biden. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack subpoenaed Biggs over his efforts to overturn the result; he did not comply. A former White House aide later testified that Biggs sought a presidential pardon, a claim he has denied. As governor, Biggs would have a role in certifying Arizona’s statewide election results.