to children. many times they are packaged like candy. we all remember, if you are my age you remember what the tobacco industry was like in the 50's, 60's and 70's, actively marketing to young people. it has to stop. there has to be a lot more control over what the chemicals are. and the potency of marijuana products. there is a lot more that can be done. >> i supported the legislation in new york state because i believe marijuana should be legal first of all, because its use was pretty prevalent. we need the regulation behind it. we need a controlled setting. we need changes at the federal level, because when talking with individuals that are establishing, either processing or retail sales, there absolutely has to be a system that works as far as securing financing or the banking system.

the laws of the federal level are antiquated. i believe the patchwork of laws we have in the state needs to go away. we should have a federal law that legalizes marijuana. that would allow for additional changes to the laws on finances. >> we are at the point of the night for closing remarks. congressman, you have 90 seconds first. your closing statement. >> what you have heard here tonight is at differing visions of what leadership looks like. i have supported securing our border and supporting our border control personnel. my opponent has advocated for free health insurance, free health care for illegal immigrants. i have advocated for the law enforcement, providing resources to law enforcement, stood up to law enforcement. despite his claims

overperforming bail reform, there isn't any law enforcement professionals that like the laws as they are now. they are exhausted by it, and it is keeping good people out. while the economy, i am a businessman. he has been kathy hochul's wing man for the last four years. it has made living in new york state even harder and even more expensive. i want a better future for our children. that is why i got involved in politics. the fact is we need better leaders. i bring confidence and experience that is just different, and i hope you will consider voting for me in november. thank you. >> state senator, you have 90 seconds for your answer. >> i do agree with my opponent. there are different visions. my opponent brings a vision of doom and gloom and negativity. i bring a vision of hope and forward thinking. what i have seen in the state

senate or in the classroom, something that needed to be addressed, i addressed it when i saw it. i addressed it, whether it meant opposing my party or otherwise. i did it in the best interest of the individuals of the 50th senate district and in the future in the congressional district, new york 22. i left a job that are not in the classroom, because i simply could not watch the chaos that existed in politics so i left the job that was gratifying . because i watched 16-year-olds watch a presidential election in 2016 like i had never seen before, and it may have been the only election they had ever seen. we need calm. we need positivity. we need collective nice. we cannot tear each other down. we cannot sustain the negativity any longer. so let's come and work together, look forward, stop the gloom and doom and negativity and get a promise to our kids that we must be in making sure that this country is more than it is today.

>> i should have had more faith in you both to stick to 90 seconds. i have another second here. i thumbs up for yes or thumbs down for no, we do but to whether you would support federal legislation banning partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts? is something like that was to come up in congress? you both would? that is great. >> my opponent supported gerrymandering to benefit his own seat. >> oh, boy. >> congressman does not live in the district that he represents. the independent redistricting commission -- the independent redistricting commission -- >> unfortunately, that is all the time we have. my thanks to republican congressman brandon williams, and democratic state senator john mannion for sharing their time. as a reminder to the viewers, october 26 is the start of early voting and the last day to register to vote. election day is november 5. if you would like to visit any part of tonight's coverage,

visit w s -- visit wcny.org. on behalf of everyone at wcny, i am david lombardo. thanks for watching and good night. ♪ [captions