One of the top GOP candidates for governor, hog farmer Jim Pillen, is doubling down on controversial comments that have turned the Republican primary ugly.

The comments were first broadcast statewide by News Channel Nebraska.

Initially, it was Pillen hitting fellow Republican Charles Herbster insisting that the fact that Herbster has no wife and kids is a “distinct, significant difference” between the two.

That found Theresa Thibodeau pummeling Pillen on Sunday, with Herbster firing back today and Pillen counter-punching tonight.

[See our full video report above]