FAIRBANKS — The Republican candidates for governor squared off at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks on Sunday, discussing resource development, education and health care issues in a 90-minute debate.

Former state Rep. Ralph Samuels and Bill Walker, the ex-mayor of Valdez, appeared at the forum, which was sponsored by the Fairbanks Republican Women. Gov. Sean Parnell, who had another commitment and didn’t attend the debate, addressed the questions in a taped video response.

The Alaska primary election is set for Aug. 24.

Parnell’s absence was noted several times during the event by Samuels and Walker, who mentioned to the crowd of about 100 people that they’d found time to make it to Fairbanks during the busy campaign season.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner