VOTE 2010: The last debate for McIntyre and Pantano

Two North Carolina Congressional candidates are nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. Brunswick Community College hosted the final debate between Congressman Mike McIntyre and Republican candidate Ilario Pantano.

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BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It was a packed house Monday night with more than 700 people in attendance. This campaign has come down to trash-talking media ads and it got heated tonight as McIntyre and Pantano faced off in the final debate of the year.

After serving seven straight terms as North Carolina’s Congressman, Democrat Mike McIntyre has many voters hoping to see him serve his eighth term.

Tom Radewicz supports McIntyre and said, “He proved that he has had the experience and he proved that his record shows he’s the best qualified for leading North Carolina in the next two years.”

Recent campaign ads created by supporters of Pantano claim McIntyre and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have become a team of their own.

Pantano supporter Sal Mirando said, “I think McIntyre was not telling the truth about his allegiance to Pelosi and I think a lot of his agenda is hidden through Pelosi letting him vote on certain things and not voting on certain things.”

Monday night’s debate consisted of support and opposition for the two candidates. Regardless, people want to know what each candidate will do if they make it to Washington, D.C. Some say voters will see a tax hike if McIntyre continues his reign in Washington.

“If the tax is fair and the tax is well-spent and the people feel confident with the people that are taxing them then they don’t have a problem,” said Radewicz.

When it comes to money many voters want to know where their money is going. Some are even curious about Pantano’s personal finances saying he has not been transparent with campaign finances. Pantano defended himself Monday night saying he’s an open book.

Pantano says his wife brings home the bacon in their household and it’s something that supporters can relate to.

“His wife makes a lot of money and that’s fine,” said Mirando. “The last ten years of my life my wife made a lot more than I did.”