Gillibrand and Sapraicone Square Off in Heated Senate Debate

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and her Republican rival, Mike Sapraicone, went head-to-head in a fiery Senate debate. The main point of contention was Prop 1, which Gillibrand supports and Sapraicone opposes. He argued that the proposition could allow boys to compete in women's sports and enable minors to undergo gender reassignment surgeries without parental consent. Gillibrand, however, insisted that the amendment protects abortion rights and ensures gender equality. The debate turned heated when Sapraicone questioned Gillibrand's assertion that Prop 1 is about abortion rights. He pointed out that New York already has expansive abortion laws. Gillibrand countered by citing states with Equal Rights Amendments that ensure equal reproductive care for all genders. Sapraicone expressed concerns about boys competing in girls' sports, to which Gillibrand replied that such instances are rare.Immigration was another hot topic. Gillibrand advocated for "rightsizing" legal immigration and clearing the backlog of asylum seekers. Sapraicone criticized Gillibrand for not doing more about immigration during her 15 years in the Senate. Despite their differences, both candidates agreed that Israel has the right to retaliate against Iran following a recent missile attack. Sapraicone trails significantly in the polls, with Gillibrand leading by a substantial margin. The debate took place at the University of Albany.