Campaign Notebook: 3 Weeks Out, Debates Dominate Headlines

With election day less than three weeks away, candidates' debates were taking place on all different levels of races this past week.

Presidential candidates faced off on Long Island, Senate candidates took the stage in Saratoga Springs, while on the local level, Congressional and state Senate candidates debated on the East End.

The second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney we held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, and Patch was on hand, both at the debate itself and at a local viewing party to host those who wanted to watch the debate in the company of others.

Patch did not cover the debate, which was held in Saratoga Springs, between Senate candidates Kirsten Gillibrand and her Republican opponent, Wendy Long. Though it did gain a bit of notoriety for one question asked: whether the two candidates had read "50 Shades of Gray."

Getting down to the local level, Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, and Randy Altschuler, R-St. James, squared off in another debate on the East End.

Meanwhile, a state Senate debate was held in Hampton Bays, featuring the incumbent state Sen. Ken LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, and Bridget Fleming, D-Southampton. The two will face off again on Monday at the East Hampton firehouse at 7 p.m.

Trustee Candidates Profiled

North Fork Patch also spoke with the two candidates for Town Trustee, incumbent Mike Domino and Jeri Woodhouse, who is seeking the seat.

Give both a read and then take our poll sharing who you plan on voting for.