As Election Day nears, debate season is heating up.  And New Jersey's revamped 9th Congressional district which now includes a scattering of towns in Bergen and Passaic counties, not to mention a pair of communities in Hudson, is no exception.  Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell and Republican challenger Rabbi Schmuley Boteach squared off Sunday before a packed house at Temple Sinai in Tenafly.

Boteach called himself independent and says he plans to provide the 9th District with a fresh, outside voice in Washington – from job creation to debt reduction.  He said, "President Obama spent a trillion dollars in a stimulus package that stimulated more debt.  Congressman Pascrell with a 94-percent voting record, you have with your party.  You voted for that, you're part of the problem." 

Congressman Bill Pascrell says he stands by his record - fighting for the middle class for sixteen years. From protecting police and firefighters to pushing for brain injury research, he has no plans to engage in what he called character assassination.  While admitting to being a newcomer to Bergen County, Pascrell says he is in the race to earn everyone's vote and take nothing for granted.

Both Pascrell and Boteach support Roe versus Wade and insist their fates are not tied to President Obama or Governor Romney.  Two more debates are scheduled between now and Election Day.