5 Things We Learned From Zimmerman, Santos Debate: Congressional Race

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — In the midst of a historic Congressional race, the candidates for New York's newly-redrawn 3rd Congressional District faced off in a debate earlier this month. Republican George Santos and Democrat Robert Zimmerman, who are both openly gay, debated gun laws, same-sex marriage and the validity of the 2020 presidential election in a taped live debate broadcast by NewsdayTV.

The district borders changed this year, and now include parts of Queens.

Here are our top five takeaways from the 30-minute debate:

1. Zimmerman stressed that he supports "reproductive freedom." When asked about a possible federal abortion ban, Santos said he would not spend his time in Congress debating an issue that was already deferred to the state level. Zimmerman rebutted that Santos has publicly said he supports a national abortion ban.
2. Santos brought up crime rates several times. Zimmerman said he supports an assault weapons ban, red flag gun laws and other measures to address gun violence. Santos referenced Zimmerman's support of what he called "disastrous" bail reforms.
3. Former President Trump, the Capitol riots and the 2020 presidential election loomed large over the debate. Zimmerman said Santos "repeated Trump's lies about the election." Santos said Zimmerman contested the 2000 election, calling his argument "hypocrisy" and asserted that cost of living issues were more important to constituents.
4. Zimmerman focused on his support for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Santos said taxes are "backbreaking" in New York and that the Biden administration is failing to address inflation and tax burdens on residents.
5. On the issue of same-sex marriage, Zimmerman said "I will vote to codify it," alluding to their shared sexual orientation but stressing that wasn't "the point." Santos didn't address the issue, instead saying that inflation and crime were more important issues for voters.

Watch the full debate here.