LINCOLN - Nebraska’s six candidates for governor had the opportunity to speak on key issues in this years race.

On Thursday, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce held a forum at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln, where candidates spoke heavily on tax reform and workforce issues. The goal of the forum was for chamber members to familiarize themselves with the candidates.

The forum kicked off with opening statements and and Republican and former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau made it clear she plans to stand against multiple issues.

“When people want to become soft on crime in our communities, I will stand in their way,” Thibodeau said. “And if the government ever tries to shutter our churches, enforce illegal mandates…I will stand in their way.”

The lone Democrat in the race, Sen. Carol Blood, made it clear she was against a consumption tax.

“If you put pen to paper on a consumption tax, Nebraska will be $4-billion in the hole in four years,” Blood said.

Republican and University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen said the tax problem spans beyond agriculture.

“The three-legged stool is so far over we can’t sit on it,” Pillen said. “And it’s not just affecting farmers and ranchers. It’s affecting every Nebraskan from the river out to Harrison, NE.”

And to fix the problem, Republican Charles Herbster says it’ll take a village.

“One person, one governor, whoever it is up here, is not going to be able to make this happen,” Herbster said. “It’s going to take a team of people, it’s going to take a governor willing to go out and have meeting after meeting with business people, large and small farm operations.”

One of the most talked about elements of workforce issues was keeping millennial's in the state.

“They want amenities, they want walk ability, they want to be on Main Street, and that doesn’t mean just Omaha and Lincoln,” (R) Sen. Brett Lindstrom said. “That means all across the state with breweries, wineries…but it takes a community and takes doers.”

Lindstrom also noted Nebraska’s travel slogan, “It’s not for everyone”, as a possible impact on workforce.

“What type of message does that send to the entire nation? That we're not open for business. We need to make sure that we have an inclusive presentation, that as we present Nebraska to everyone, that we’re engaged with people, we want people here.”

Republican candidate Breland Ridenour, and Democrat Carol Blood both agreed that non-violent criminals should be able to get back into the work force.

“We have criminals coming out of our penitentiary systems who want to get themselves into our work force, we’ve got to get them assimilated,” Ridenour said.“We have people who have committed felony crimes who are not violent individuals that cannot help us in our workforce, because they can’t get the certifications or license required.”

Nebraska’s primary election will take place May 10th, ahead of the November 8th general election.