Szeliga and Van Hollen Spar in MD U.S. Senate Debate

BALTIMORE (WJZ)- U.S. Senate candidates Kathy Szeliga and Chris Van Hollen sparred over issues in their first and only televised debate Wednesday.

The topics ranged from kitchen table issues like taxes and college affordability to cyber security and foreign policy.

"We need a simplified tax code and we need to help small business get back in the business of hiring people," said Szeliga.

"So we definitely need to accelerate job growth and the economy. Let's remember that when president Obama was first sworn in the economy was falling through the floor and we have had 15 million jobs created in this country," said Van Hollen.

The candidates are also fielded headlines like the Affordable Health Care Act.

"We know what Bill Clinton said about the affordable care act I'm agreeing with Bill Clinton, this is crazy," said Szeliga.

"It would be a big mistake to throw out the Affordable Health Care Act rather than try and fix it," said Van Hollen."We need to invest in modernizing our roads, our bridges, our transit ways, our broadbans in rural areas and inner cities."

"That is where my heart is and that is where my heart is troubled day after day. It is not a Democrat issue and it is not a Republican issue. It is a moral imperative," said Szeliga.

Both candidates were pleased to have made their points with Maryland voters.

"This is the last 12 days of the campaign and we're working very hard, we're not taking anything for granted," said Van Hollen.

"I feel very good about it, I think voters have a clear choice on November 8," said Szeliga.

And with early voting starting tomorrow, both candidates plan to be visiting polling places.

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