LINCOLN — Four Republicans running to be Nebraska’s next governor stood on a soundstage Thursday and answered questions from reporters for an hour on live television statewide.

That they did so is hardly news. But Thursday’s event, hosted by Nebraska Public Media, was the first and perhaps only debate of this GOP primary race. And University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, one of the top three candidates, has refused to participate in any debates before the May 10 primary election.

Political pundits said they were interested in observing how the frontrunner, Conklin Co. CEO Charles Herbster, handled questions in front of the camera.

Herbster pointed to the need for better mental health care when faced with questions about prisons and criminal justice reform in Nebraska.

On taxes, Herbster said he'd explore all options.

Herbster also gave, and stood by, one of the most unexpected answers of the night. He said, without offering evidence, that China planned the COVID-19 pandemic to get rid of President Donald Trump.

“This is a planned pandemic,” Herbster said. “It was planned all along. I’ve said that from day one, and it was planned to be a part of taking America down and dividing America.”

Former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, who is currently fourth in polling behind Herbster, Pillen, and Lindstrom, landed the biggest blows of the evening.

She said Herbster didn’t know what he was talking about and won’t locate his largest business in Nebraska.

And she said Lindstrom calls himself a tax cutter but voted for a significant gas tax increase that families feel at the pump.

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