Democrat Matt Dunlap and Republican Paul LePage went toe-to-toe Thursday night in their first debate in the 2nd Congressional District race.

LePage, 77, the former governor, and Dunlap, 61, the state auditor and former secretary of state, are just over a month away from the Nov. 3 election to decide who will succeed Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who did not seek reelection.

A recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found Dunlap with a 51% to 45% edge over LePage, with 5% of respondents undecided.

Unsurprisingly, Dunlap and LePage disagreed on a number of topics during Thursday night’s debate televised by WMTW, but both continuously argued their agendas would be more effective in meeting a common goal: affordability.

Healthcare took the spotlight on many occasions throughout the debate. On questions regarding MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, LePage said he would attempt to raise reimbursement rates, while Dunlap said he supports expanding the program.

Early on, both candidates were asked what bill they’d introduce first, if elected. Dunlap said his first piece of legislation would focus on healthcare access and affordability, such as restoring tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. LePage said he would introduce a bill to increase access to dental care for veterans.

A number of Democratic candidates this cycle have made a Medicare for All system a cornerstone of their campaign, but Dunlap didn’t fully embrace it Thursday night. He highlighted some of the benefits and said he would “certainly encourage the country to go in that direction,” while cautioning it would take a long time to fully implement.

LePage, meanwhile, bashed the idea, claiming it would do away with private healthcare and services would get “rationed.”

They also disagreed on tariffs. Dunlap argued that the trade war with Canada is detrimental to American citizens, while LePage argued “we’ve gotten a bad deal for many years,” but the two allies need to come to a resolution.

The two differed even while finding common ground on several topics, including the war in Iran. Both, for instance, said they don’t support the war, but LePage said he doesn’t support a war powers act, while Dunlap does.

Both agreed that housing production could be boosted by better supporting those who make the housing. However, Dunlap said he’d help make finances more accessible for housing developments, while LePage said he’d focus on improving the permitting process and regulations.

Dunlap and LePage also agreed that caps on Social Security contributions should be raised, and that Congress should have at least some oversight on the development of artificial intelligence. They differed on data centers, with LePage saying that should be decided on the local level and Dunlap arguing federal, state and local governments need to work together on the issue.

Perhaps the most stark difference between the two candidates was their attitudes toward President Donald Trump.

Multiple times throughout the debate, including in his opening statement, LePage touted his ability to call upon Trump. He said the first thing he’d do, if elected, would be to request that Trump “put restrictions on sending diesel to foreign countries.” He also said he’d call him before the election to make that suggestion.

During a response to a question on the trade war with Canada, LePage suggested, “I can help the president because I can speak French to the prime minister.”

“I will be able to get into the Oval Office; my opponent will not,” LePage said.

As for Dunlap, he repeatedly critiqued Trump’s policies and argued Congress needs to reel the president in.

“The job of Congress is to provide oversight of the executive branch,” he said regarding the war in Iran.