Former Westchester Congressman Joe DioGuardi, former Treasury Department official David Malpass and Long Island attorney Bruce Blakeman -- all Republicans looking to unseat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand -- faced off Tuesday night in a debate sponsored by NY1 at Schenectady's Union College. NY1's Bobby Cuza filed the following report.

The three Republican contenders for Kirsten Gillibrand’s Senate seat showed Tuesday they have much in common, attacking the junior senator and fellow Democrats for their so-called free-spending ways, and playing up their fiscally conservative credentials.

"Anything that I’ve seen today in the Senate is increasing the national debt, increasing our spending, and stifling job creation," said Republican Candidate for Senate Joe DioGuardi.

"One of the things I bring to this race is a 25-year record of working for Ronald Reagan and of writing conservative principles in the Wall Street Journal, in Forbes," said Republican Candidate for Senate David Malpass.

Speaking of Ronald Reagan, all three said during the so-called lightning round they believe he’s the best president of the last hundred years. All three also said Hillary Clinton has not done a good job as Secretary of State, all three support the death penalty, and all three were critical of Gillibrand’s push to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

Surprisingly, they also all said Ed Cox has not done a good job as head of the state GOP.

But there were also clear divisions. While all three support the Zadroga Bill to fund health care for September 11th first responders, there was disagreement on whether illegal immigrants should qualify.

"People who volunteered in the cleanup, or volunteered in the rescue, I don’t care if they’re martians. I’d give them the money," said Republican Candidate for Senate Bruce Blakeman

"My view is that illegal immigrants are probably not qualified for that particular type of benefit," Malpass said.

Blakeman, who once served on the Nassau County legislature, did stand out from the crowd on several counts as he was the only candidate who said he’s ever used illegal drugs, the only one who owns a gun, and the only one who said he believes creationism should be taught in schools.

He also had the eyebrow-raising moment of the night when asked to say something nice about Gillibrand and responded by saying, "I think Kirsten Gillibrand is a attractive woman."

Blakeman later went on to clarify, saying "She’s an attractive, bright woman, who I believe is a good mom."

DioGuardi, a former Westchester Congressman, has the backing of the state Conservative party and leads the field in recent polls.

Some of the sharpest barbs of the night came between Blakeman and Malpass, an economist who worked under both Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

"David, you advocated funding, giving more funding to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Do those tea party people know that? Do they know you that advocated for gasoline tax?" Blakeman said.

"You oversaw the biggest tax increase in Nassau County history," countered Malpass.

Republican voters will decide which of the three candidates will go on to challenge Gillibrand when they head to the polls for the primary on September 14.