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60th State Senate candidates face off in debate

WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley

The candidates vying for the 60th State Senate seat debated issues Wednesday at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore. 

It was a three-way debate between Republican incumbent Mark Grisanti, Democrat Mike Amodeo and Conservative Chuck Swanick. 

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Republican incumbent Mark Grisanti, democratic opponent Mike Amodeo and conservative candidate Chuck Swanick participated in a debate at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore

You can click the play button above to hear the entire debate. 

Students questions ranged from same-sex marriage, funding for public schools, the future of the Buffalo Bills' stadium, and proposed pay raises for state lawmakers. 

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Students at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore, NY listen to candidates debate in the 60th State Senate race

Candidates also used the debate to take jabs at one another. 

Grisanti called out Swanick, a former, long-time Erie County legislator for collecting three pensions.  Swanick and Amodeo accused Grisanti of using hundreds of thousands of dollars in special interest funds for his campaign.