BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

SCHENECTADY -- NY-21 Republican hopefuls Robert Smullen and Anthony Constantino held a fiery debate on May 28, albeit not in the district both men seek to represent. 

Hosted by CBS6 News, the two candidates clashed over multiple topics ranging from energy policy, to the war in Iran and who supported President Donald Trump more.

The two men each claimed victory in press releases following the debate. 

"North Country voters got to see exactly what this race is about," said Smullen. "On one side, a lifetime of service, a clear conservative record, and a real connection to this district. On the other, a lifelong Democrat who changed his registration the moment he decided to run for Congress, and whose business has been tied to anti-police propaganda and antisemitic merchandise."

Meanwhile, Constantino said Smullen's refusal to shake his hand following the debate "said it all." 

“His refusal to shake my hand says it all,” said Constantino. “I knew I won the debate but still wanted to be respectful. If he can’t shake my hand, he’ll never be able to work with people in Washington or with foreign leaders.” 

Constantino's camp said the "contrast between the two candidates could not be starker with a seemingly sentimental Constantino closing the debate thanking his 1,000+ employees for enduring the Democrat boycotts and Smullen’s smears." 

"Constantino neglected to attack Smullen’s record in his closing, instead praising Smullen’s military service while noting his own father died with a strong sense of pride for his military service at Bikini Island Atomic Bomb tests," Constantino wrote in the release. 

The race has been labeled by many as a contest between an establishment politician against a self-made millionaire businessman who has been labeled as a "political firebrand" by some. 

Support for Trump questioned 

While Constantino labeled Smullen a "Trump hater," Smullen called into question Constantino's voting record and former registration to the Democratic Party. 

Smullen called Constantino "unfit for office" on numerous occasions throughout the debate, questioning why his company Sticker Mule printed anti-police and antiSemitic rhetoric for clients on multiple occasions. 

“The choice in this race is between a Marine and someone who’s unfit for office,” Smullen said.

The two candidates also traded barbs over campaign staff and political officials in years prior. 

Smullen claimed Constantino currently employs an accused murderer on his campaign and had a child sex predator working on the ground to gather signatures. 

He said Constantino was in no position to question his track record. 

"It's also from somebody who had someone who was accused and convicted getting petition signatures was back on the payroll getting these things done. So the company you keep is interesting," Smullen said. 

“These are absurd smears. I've hired thousands of people in my life, and the only person here right now that was arrested for a felony is my opponent. He was arrested for felony tax fraud,” said Constantino.

The reference made by Constantino is one that Smullen has rebutted on multiple occasions, saying it was a "simple misunderstanding" of a veteran tax credit that was applied by accident on a second property he owned. 

Smullen said the charge was later reduced to a violation, equivalent to a traffic ticket. 

Constantino shot back at Smullen, saying he was endorsed by the President in April, a clear sign that Trump knows a winner when he sees them. 

“I got to know somebody named President Trump who strongly supported me along with Rudy Giuliani, General Flynn and some other great people,” Constantino said. 

He said he may be viewed as an outsider, as Smullen has worked in politics for years and developed relationships, however political movers and shakers have supported him over Smullen. 

Constantino said Smullen only has the endorsement of 12 party chairs "because they know him." 

Energy policy differences 

When it comes to lowering utility rates, Constantino said he supports Trump's mentality of "drill, baby drill." 

“I support President Trump's energy agenda completely. I fought for President Trump to get him elected so that he could implement his energy agenda. I think we need to drill, baby, drill,” said Constantino.

He pointed to Venezuela as a source of ample oil supply the country should tap into. 

“He snapped his fingers, and he grabbed Nicolas Maduro and he put him in handcuffs, freeing Venezuela. There's tremendous amounts of oil there," he said. 

For Smullen, it was a matter of green climate laws that drove up costs. 

He said the federal government needs to step in to ease the burden. 

 “We need to unleash New York energy for New Yorkers. We need to permit pipelines. We need to roll back at the federal level these rules," he said. 

The debate turned into a tit-for-tat again as Constantino claimed Smullen has a "large, taxpayer funded Chinese solar farm on his land."

" posted it on my Facebook. People saw it. They're disgusted. He's with the Democrats on the Green New Deal. He didn’t fight for President Trump," he said.

Smullen offered a sharp rebuke to the claim. 

“That's absolutely, categorically false and defamatory. That was done completely with private capital. The solar panels are actually LG, which is a Korean company, and it was done well before I got into the Assembly,” Smullen said. 

Immigration and border security concerns 

Both candidates said they supported increased enforcement and federal funding for the border, each lambasting Democrats in their addresses. 

Each specifically touched on state legislation that will prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE agents during immigration operations. 

“I'm proud to say I've been the strongest supporter of ICE standing on this stage right now. I shipped out, I believe, over a thousand shirts. I came up with the slogan ‘ICE, ICE baby,'" Constantino said. 

While Constantino pivoted to his company, Smullen said he was concerned about northern border security. 

“The United States needs to make sure that the borders are secure. This district has a very large northern border with Canada, and I'm very concerned about border issues. I've been to the border crossings. I know what happens on the border,” Smullen said. 

He continued, saying he would bring the fight to Congress to overturn New York's sanctuary state status. 

War in Iran brings common ground 

Both candidates also stated they supported the war with Iran, which Trump launched on Feb. 28. 

A 24-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Smullen stated the United States "has been at war with Iran for the last 47 years." 

He cited the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, stating Iran has "killed Americans for decades." 

“I’m in favor of President Trump’s policies as they are in Iran, and I know this conflict is coming to an end soon, and I support what’s happening right now," he said. 

Constantino said he shared Smullen's view on the war as well. 

“I tell people this to everybody listening, voters that are maybe a little concerned about the situation in Iran. I tell people simply this...President Trump has proved himself since he got involved in politics to be one of the greatest decision makers in the world, if not the greatest. He's consistently made good decisions. He has way more information than us with regards to matters of war and peace," Constantino said.