Oregon Public Broadcasting

The two candidates for governor in Washington state had tough words for each other in their final debate before election day, heard on public radio Wednesday.

Democratic incumbent Chris Gregoire and Republican challenger Dino Rossi went after each other on taxes, state spending and transportation.

Some of the more heated exchanges came on the topic of the campaign itself.

Gregoire called ads on behalf of Rossi "dishonest" and "shameful". Rossi countered that some attacks on him have been personal.

Dino Rossi: "Talking about these ads and the things that have gone on, my goodness, by July, the incumbent and her supporters had attacked everything from my Italian heritage to my kids' dog. I mean this exactly what's gone on out there. And you know what, I want to talk about the future."

Polls have shown the contest to be one of the most competitive governors' races in the nation.

Gregoire does not appear to have reaped much advantage of running as the incumbent in a year thought to favor Democrats. The governor addressed what some observers have called her "charisma gap".

Chris Gregoire: "Now, I have been accused at times of being serious person and being tough, as if there was something bad about that. In fact, I can be serious. And I can be tough. But you know where in difficult times and I think that's the kind of leadership we need. I'm a fighter."

On the issue of transportation, Gregoire called Rossi's plan a "fantasy", while the Republican accused the incumbent governor of not moving fast enough to unclog traffic.