SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee sharply criticized his gubernatorial opponent for not speaking out against Donald Trump, his party's presidential nominee.

At the first gubernatorial debate in Spokane Wednesday Inslee asked Bryant why he stayed silent for months when other Republicans upbraided Trump over a series of controversial statements, including recent remarks directed at the Muslim family of a fallen U.S. soldier.

Bryant noted that this week he said he would not vote for Trump. Pressed further by Inslee, Bryant said it was a difficult situation. He said Trump has appealed to voters who feel neglected by the mainstream political system. Bryant said: "I was afraid that if I came out against Donald Trump" those voters "would think that I abandoned them too."

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