CLEMSON -- Democratic candidates for governor Tommy Moore and Frank Willis aired differences Thursday night in their first Upstate debate that were more of nuance than substance.

But it was a lesser-known third candidate, Columbia lawyer C. Dennis Aughtry, who drew the sharpest distinctions with his pitch for casino gambling as the panacea for South Carolina's education, unemployment and health-care problems.

Moore and Willis made it plain they didn't like that.

Beyond that, the trio found little on which to disagree in a low-key debate before an audience that barely half-filled the 234-seat auditorium at Clemson University's Strom Thurmond Institute.

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The nominee emerging from the June 13 primary will face an uphill fight, probably against Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, who already has more than $5 million in cash on hand and a politically unknown primary foe. The GOP has held the Governor's Office for 16 of the past 20 years.

Moore, a state senator and 27-year legislative veteran, said he would make public education improvements "my first chore."

Willis, the mayor of Florence, described education as "one of the most critical elements in the South Carolina economy."

Where Willis said he would create a base appropriation to underwrite equitable funding for school districts, Moore said he wouldn't throw money at education for the sake of more money but would seek full formula funding.

In the heart of a state research university, Moore criticized 20 years of declining state aid and pledged as governor to "veto any bill not fully funding what is required by law.

Willis said South Carolina has "the ability and means to fund our universities, but we're not doing a good job." He also suggested lowering SAT requirements to 950 so more South Carolina students could get state scholarships.

Aughtry said the money will be there when gambling cranks up.

"A lot of you don't like that idea, but if you allow casino gambling, just like the 'Field of Dreams,' they will come. You can't overemphasize the money when it comes to education."

Willis said, "I don't see how you can teach a child that gambling is not good, then turn around and tell them it's paying for their education."

The trio agreed the state's Department of Commerce needs revitalization to make South Carolina competitive again in attracting new jobs that neighboring states are winning.

Moore and Willis said the state should enforce immigration laws if Washington won't, but Aughtry said, "Uprooting people without giving them a chance to become legal is inequitable."

He supported elimination of property taxes using gambling revenue. Willis said there should first be a comprehensive study of the state's tax system. Moore, citing weeks of Senate debate without a resolution, suggested a similar study.

Each candidate described himself as "pro-choice" when an audience member raised a question on abortion views.

Willis said he opposed abortion as a means of birth control, and Moore cited "deep religious" feelings about its use except in situations involving rape, incest and the health of the mother.

At least three more Democratic debates are scheduled.

Republican Gov. Mark Sanford has said he won't consider debating his primary challenger, Prosperity family physician Oscar Lovelace, until after the Legislature adjourns June 1.