Candidates vying for new 19th Congressional seat face off - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Candidates vying for new 19th Congressional seat face off

NORTH GREENBUSH, N.Y. - Congressman Chris Gibson and his opponent, Democrat Julian Schreibman faced off Thursday night in their first televised debate.

From the outset it was clear the face off would be a good one. In recent weeks, both campaigns have turned negative and that was the first question posed to both men who defended the tone.

Gibson finds himself in a very different position in this race. While he ran as a Tea Party candidate, new to politics, he is now the incumbent. The constituents he would represent will also change since redistricting moved the new 19th Congressional District south.

Screibman is new to politics; a lawyer from Kingston who served as both a local and federal prosecutor.

While both say they have plans for shoring up Medicare and protecting seniors, they were short on details. 

Gibson and Screibman tackled not only domestic issues but also foreign policy in their hour long debate. Both emphasizing the need to work across party lines. When the Farm Bill was brought up, specifically Congress' failure to pass it, Screibmen attacked.

Gibson's response was toned down, assuring voters it was just a matter of time.