With the two remaining Democrats in the race for public advocate facing a runoff election in just two weeks, both men wasted no time Wednesday entering a renewed war of words. NY1's Bobby Cuza filed the following report.

Just hours after learning he would be facing City Councilman Bill de Blasio in a runoff election, Mark Green was on the attack accusing his opponent of taking part in a shakedown -- doling out taxpayer money to community groups, who then repay the favor by contributing to his campaign.

"This appears to be a conflict of interest because it is a conflict of interest," Green said.

Green says 60 percent of the groups to which de Blasio directed member items over the last three years had members who then turned around and wrote him campaign checks.

But de Blasio defended the practice of member items Wednesday, saying they go to support vital community services, and that members of those groups are under no pressure to contribute.

"I find it insulting for mark to suggest that these local organizations are doing something wrong," de Blasio said. "I think these senior centers and these youth programs have every right to ask for additional support from their government, and it's the right thing to do to help them."

De Blasio also pointed out that he has helped strengthen the city's campaign finance laws and dismissed Green's attack as a divisive tactic, one he predicts New Yorkers will see more of over the next two weeks.

"I'm expecting he will throw everything he's got. I think he's probably quite disappointed that he didn't come in first yesterday," de Blasio said.

As for de Blasio's call for 10 debates before the runoff election, Green says he can't wait to have as many debates as can be scheduled.

As of now, there are plans in place for Green and de Blasio to face off in at least two debates between now and the September 29th runoff, including one next week that's mandated by the city's Campaign Finance Board and will be televised on NY1.