Washington Governor Jay Inslee criticized his Republican rival for being a "mini Trump" during a heated debate Wednesday night.

Challenger Loren Culp also accused the incumbent of being a professional leader "who has no idea what it's like in the actual world."

In their debate, they disagreed over the right way to cope with the pandemic of COVID-19, civil war, and whether the state is ready for business. They also looked to be racing to lead two separate nations when they exchanged barbs.

COVID-19 Issue: Who Won The Debate?

Inslee asked if Republican Party's Culp treats the pandemic seriously when conducting rallies for hundreds of citizens across the state who do not wear masks and follow social distancing.

"I've never come out and spoken against wearing masks," Culp said. Culp instead highlighted a government policy for corporations and citizens to wear masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I firmly believe in individual freedom and liberty," he noted.

Inslee said the modeling of proper actions and safety procedures is part of leadership. He pointed out the sequence of measures he made since March. These include a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order in March and a staggered re-opening of counties that began in the summer. 

Inslee said these guidelines "save lives" because most citizens obey the directives. 

Inslee has claimed that Culp, President Donald Trump, and the Republicans intend to strip away health insurance from about 800,000 state citizens by expanded Medicaid.

"It's too dangerous to have a mini Trump right now in the middle of a pandemic," Inslee added. 

The statement is one of his efforts to associate his rival to Trump. Culp said the state is on a low place to do business. To change that around and generate more employment, he will eliminate costly regulations. 

On the other hand, Inslee said several organizations rank the state as the safest place to do business with good support for employees and families.

Other Issues: Who Won?

Culp, the first-time contender and head of the Republic Police Department, placed ahead of four other serious GOP opponents.

The reporters asking questions were in one room, and the candidates were in different places in another.

When debating on the state's reaction to demonstrations that turned following violent incidents of Black people murdered by police officers elsewhere in the nation, Culp could have earned points with audiences. 

He accused Inslee of being "oblivious." The accusation came after a group of demonstrators occupied a tiny portion of Seattle this year over the Capitol Hill Autonomous Region issue.

Culp blamed Inslee for sending the guard in without guns. He suggested that as governor, he would never send them unarmed to such a scenario.

Inslee argued that the government officials who had demanded the guard had insisted that they not be armed. He added that the adjutant general decided that the solution was not to put more weapons in the streets.

The debate was the only schedule for both of them. Inslee, aiming for his third consecutive year, comfortably topped the key field on August 4.