Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones faced off in a News 12 Vote 2024 debate Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones faced off in a News 12 Vote 2024 debate Wednesday.

The candidates are vying to represent New York's 17th Congressional District, which includes Rockland and Putnam counties. It is also contains parts of Dutchess and Westchester counties.

Lawler Jones traded jabs and attacked the other's records in Washington, D.C.

"Mondaire Jones is a radical extreme leftist, he was the third most progressive member of Congress, and he affiliated with The Squad," Lawler said.

"He's not the bipartisan he says he is, because he would be supporting a bipartisan border security bill that he is currently blocking right now even as we experience the migrant crisis in the state of New York," Jones said.

The candidates were asked a variety of topics based on viewer-submitted questions that included public safety, abortion, foreign policy, housing and affordability.

Most experts consider this race to be one of the most competitive and consequential house races in the entire country. The winner is likely to help dictate which political party controls Congress next year.