The Republican candidates for governor participated in their final televised showdown before the March 2 primary elections.

Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving Texas governor, faces top challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison, the state's senior U.S. senator. A third GOP contender, libertarian-leaning Debra Medina, also snagged a spot on stage after polls showed she had broken into double-digit support.

The debate was Thursday at a television studio in Downtown Dallas. The candidates faced a panel of print and television reporters, but no studio audience. It was broadcast live around the state on Belo-owned stations.

Another audience, however, had the opportunity to broadcast their thoughts in the debate during a live chat on News8Austin.com. Click on the reply button below to see how the candidates faired out in the public chat.

The debate was the final one before the March 2 Republican primary.