Two candidates for Oklahoma attorney general stand by going negative in the campaign

Gentner Drummond, left, answers a question Saturday during a debate for Republican attorney general candidates in Oklahoma City. Waiting to speak is candidate Angela Bonilla and incumbent Mike Hunter. [Photo by Anya Magnuson, The Oklahoman]

In a lively debate Saturday marked by sharp exchanges, both Attorney General Mike Hunter and opponent Gentner Drummond defended going negative in the campaign.

The third Republican candidate, public defender Angela Bonilla, called their negative TV ads "very disheartening."

At one point, Hunter called Drummond unprofessional. Drummond countered that the AG was lying.

Hunter told the audience at the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City that Drummond started it.