FORT PLAIN, NY--- Seven Candidates taking to the far reaches of the 21st Congressional District, tackling seven different topics. America's growing trade deficit was among them.
"We're hurting as America because of NAFTA. NAFTA was anything but free trade," Republican Steven Vasquez said.
Protecting Americans against terrorism was also on the agenda.
"They aren't terrorists, they are warriors and this is a war," Democrat Joe Sullivan said.
There was unanimous support on one issue involving Social Security.
"We've got to stop raiding the Social Security Trust Fund," Republican Jim Burhmaster said.
But that's where many of the similarities ended. Among the Democrats, it was on the subject of the Second Amendment when the first shot was fired.
"We have to take a very strong and focused look at removing items that are made to kill the masses," Democrat Paul Tonko said.
The seven candidates vying to replace Congressman Mike McNulty campaigned in the Mohawk Valley Thursday. With just less than three weeks until Primary Day, the five Democrats and two Republicans headed to a candidates forum in Fort Plain. Our Mark Repasky was there too, and has more.
"This is a place where we are different. I won't take a vote that puts our children in jeopardy. And Paul, you had an opportunity to take 50 caliber weapons off the streets as law enforcement asked for that and you voted against it twice," Democrat Tracey Brooks said.
Phil Steck took both Brooks and Tonko under his aim.
"I haven't spent my political life hanging around the state corridors that have produced our dysfunctional government. Tracey Brooks has tried, first as Republican then as a member of the Independence Party. Paul Tonko has represented you for a long time and he's part of the State Assembly dysfunction system," he said.
"Everybody is fed up with Republicans and Democrats, they simply want a change," Buhrmaster said.
"Change hasn't come in Washington and there's really one core reason why. It's because lobbyists and special interests have really controlled the game down there," Democrat Darius Shahinfar said.
While the candidates may have different outlooks on experience, all seven are seasoned enough to know one truth. In a field this crowded, every vote, no matter how far out, will count.