CHARLESTON -- State Sen. Peter Kinder and Democratic challenger Rick Althaus said in a debate Tuesday they favor gun owners' rights and oppose abortion on demand.

They also oppose a proposal to raise Missouri's minimum wage to $6.25 an hour, which would be the highest in the nation. The two Cape Girardeau men said it would hurt the state's economy.

Both said they favor term limits.

They differed over education.

The debate at the Charleston High School auditorium was the first of six scheduled throughout the district in advance of the Nov. 5 election. About 40 people attended the debate.

Kinder is seeking re-election to a second, four-year term in the 27th Senate District.

Althaus this fall is taking an unpaid leave of absence from his job as a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University. Althaus has taught at Southeast since 1980.

"My values are mainstream and not extreme," he said.

A longtime member of the National Rifle Association, Althaus said he is an avid hunter.

He acknowledged that Kinder received the endorsement of the NRA but contended that was because of incumbency.

Kinder said that when he ran four years ago, liberal, college professors suggested that a Republican could do little for Southeast Missouri in a Democratic-dominated legislature.

But Kinder said he proved them wrong. He cited accomplishments such as funding for Southeast Missouri State University's College of Business Building and helping to keep a manufacturing business in Mississippi County.

Althaus unequivocally supports public education as a way to better people's lives.

"I am firmly opposed to anything that would be construed as dumbing down educational standards," he said.

But Kinder said education standards have been set by unelected bureaucrats in state government. He said he opposes standards such as outcome-based education.

Parents' rights concerning the education of their children shouldn't be infringed, he said.

Kinder blasted Senate Bill 380, which raised taxes by $350 million to fund education.

He criticized Gov. Mel Carnahan, a Democrat, for pushing through the tax hike without voter approval.

Kinder said he wants to cut away at taxes.

The average Missourian works more than half a year to pay for state and federal programs, he said.

In a two-wage-earner family, one member is working full time to support state and federal governments, he said.

"This is a pocketbook election," he said, holding up his wallet.

Althaus argued that the increased taxes in Senate Bill 380 were felt largely by corporations and the wealthy. He said most of the residents in the East Prairie and Charleston school districts didn't feel those taxes.

Althaus favors a constitutional amendment that would create a Missouri Division of Aging. Kinder opposes the idea.

Althaus said the new agency would help ensure that senior citizens' concerns and issues are addressed.

Kinder said it would lead to more bureaucracy.

Answering a written question from the audience, both denounced domestic violence and those who commit it.

"I think we may need to look at horse whippings and putting people in public stocks," said Kinder.

"I believe horse whipping is an interesting idea," responded Althaus. "But I don't believe violence can be solved by violence."