Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer gave a spirited defense of his legislative record amid attacks from Republican challenger Jay Townsend in a televised debate.
Townsend said Schumer did not look after the state's best interests in voting for health care overhaul. Schumer said he always considers the state's best interest first when he considers legislation.
The debate at Marist College in Poughkeepsie is being shown live statewide on NY1 and YNN stations.
A Marist poll on Friday reported that Schumer leads Townsend by 28 percentage points among likely voters as the Democrat seeks election to a third term on Nov. 2.
Townsend is a Hudson Valley political consultant. He had lobbied hard for a debate with Schumer.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
