And the candidates for New Jersey's only open U.S. Senate seat went head to head Sunday night in their first debate before the election.

Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw and Democratic Congressman Andy Kim squared off at an event hosted by the New Jersey Globe, held at Rider University.

It got off to a rough start after a bash off fell ill while responding to his first answer, grabbing his lectern to stay upright.

It was the result, he said, of not eating all day while out on the campaign trail.

But the candidates quickly got back on track, sparring over affordability and the economy.

Bashaw painted Kim as a Washington insider who wouldn't help middle class New Jerseyans, while Kim hit his GOP challenger on abortion rights, raising doubts about Bashaw's position as a pro-choice Republican.

A recent Stockton University poll found Andy Kim is better known and more widely liked by New Jersey voters than Curtis Bashaw.

But the poll also found they both still lack any significant name recognition.

With just a month to go before the election.