News 12 is taking a closer look at the five candidates facing off in next month's Democratic primary for New York's 17th congressional district.

The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. All five candidates sat down with our senior political reporter, Tara Rosenblum, for extended conversations on the big issues shaping one of the most closely watched House races in the country.

Beth Davidson and Cait Conley are leading the polls, but the race also includes three other Democrats trying to carve out their own lane in the primary.

Rosenblum began with the question every Democrat in this race is trying to answer - who has the best chance to flip one of the most competitive congressional seats of Vote 2026?

Former Air Force Officer John Cappello says his foreign service experience sets him apart.

"I was a diplomat, served at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel," he says. "I think we need to restore balance and accountability."

Former National Security official Cait Conley says her military background and appeal to independents make her the strongest general election candidate.

"I've served at the highest levels of government," says Conley. "We need a person on the ballot where voters will choose them as a person, not just a party."

Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson is leaning into her local government experience and track record of winning in competitive territory.

"What beats Mike Lawler is a candidate who is very much of this community," said Davidson. "I'm the only one in this field who's already beaten Republicans in tough territory, helping deliver the first Democratic supermajority on the Rockland County Legislature in history."

Mike Sacks is a former TV journalist who says the Democrats need to deliver more policy wins in Congress.

"Everyone's talking about what they will do, not how they will get it done," he says. "We need to be relentless that not only are we saying what we will do for the people but also saying we are going to stop at nothing to deliver."

Tarrytown trustee Effie Phillips-Staley is pitching herself as a coalition-builder who can appeal to younger and progressive voters.

"I put people first," she says. "The most critical thing we need to do is fair tax reform. And by fair tax reform, what I mean is that working people should not be paying taxes to supplement the income of billionaires and millionaires."

All five candidates say affordability is the top issue facing Hudson Valley families. They all oppose the reopening of Indian Point and criticized the U.S. approach to Iran.

They differed sharply on Israel funding and what direction Democrats should take heading into November.

The Democratic primary will take place on June 23.