REDWOOD FALLS — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says gubernatorial debates should focus on other candidates until voters in next week’s primary choose a Republican to run against him.

The Democratic incumbent spoke about the race Thursday during his annual appearance at the FarmFest trade show. He responded to criticism from the five gubernatorial candidates who participated in a debate Tuesday at FarmFest. They said Dayton also should have been there Tuesday.

Dayton says he has attended FarmFest for more than 30 years.

He says the six debates he’s agreed to participate in after Labor Day will sufficiently allow the candidates to lay out their positions.

Dayton says transportation will be a major issue for the state in 2015. He says the state’s roads can’t support its growing economy.