TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Election Day is less than two weeks away, and one of the most competitive races in the region will be for Erie County District Attorney.

On Thursday, the candidates will be at St. Paul’s in the Town of Tonawanda. They met in person for a political debate hosted by St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.

I covered the debate and spoke to both candidates afterward.

St. Joe’s Varsity Singers perform in the school gym chanting “And the home of the brave!” they sang the song.

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St. Joe hosted his 40th political debate, led by political science teacher and moderator Ted Lina.

Then it was time for the main event, where Democrat Michael Keane, the acting Erie County District Attorney, would face Republican James Gardner.

Keane had served as acting DA since March following the resignation of former Prosecutor John Flynn.

Gardner has more than 14 years of experience as a prosecutor and law clerk.

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“There is no room for the criminal justice system to become a laboratory for social justice issues,” Gardner said.

“There is no difference between Republicans and Democrats and the administration of justice. This is not happening,” Keane said.

St. Joe’s students asked timely questions on topics ranging from immigration to the massive increase in car thefts to bail reform.

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Gardner called state bail reform introduced in 2020 a “disaster” and blamed the DA’s office for the lack of bail for “misdemeanors.”

“All they have to do is let the judges make the decision. Criminal law and the criminal justice system works best when judges and prosecutors can make individual assessments based on the facts of each case,” Gardner said.

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“But they’re part of the problem, but that’s the judge’s job and their discretion. We just make recommendations and if people commit crime after crime, of course we’ll ask for bail. That’s allowed under state law,” Keane noted.

One of the most powerful moments of the debate was the question surrounding Gardner’s controversial ad against Keane.

“Assaulting police, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated,” the political ad states.

“This is a fake advert. It is misleading,” Keane replied.

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Keane pointed out that this happened nearly 40 years ago when he pleaded guilty to a non-criminal violation while at university.

“And just because my opponent accepted a non-criminal plea offer doesn’t mean he didn’t commit these crimes,” Gardner commented.

Keane hit back by saying his opponent ignored the court order to obtain a “sealed” recording that would discredit him.

Gardner responded, “I did nothing wrong. My campaign did nothing wrong.”

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After the debate, I asked Gardner why his campaign was using a current photo of Keane. This can be misleading.

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“I think the handshake over the use of the photo is overdone,” Gardner replied.

I asked Keane if there were any hiccups in his campaign.

“Is it hurting your campaign?” I asked.

“I don’t think this hurt my campaign in any way. I think he is deliberately trying to deceive the public by allowing most people to see this,” Keane replied.

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This was 40^he St. It’s the anniversary of Joe hosting the political debate. Political Science Teacher Ted Lina started the debates in 1984. He also serves as a debate moderator.

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“Wow, I’m 40 and I’m only 49. I am very proud of this school. When I started this business in 1984, I never thought it would become what it is today. I look at my former students, I did not know that they would be politically elected to very high public offices. With all of you and here in St. I am so proud of this community at Joe’s,” Lina commented.

Lina was honored by two of her former students at a bipartisan celebration of her work. Republican State Senator Rob Ortt and Democrat Buffalo Common Council Member Joel Feroleto presented Lina with special honors from the state and city.

You can watch the entire discussion below.

Erie County District Attorney Controversy