Guadagno insisted repeatedly that she would lower taxes in New Jersey and that Murphy would raise them. She calculated a multitude of promises Murphy has made during the campaign to run between $50 billion and $65 billion, all of it to be borne by taxpayers. And she appeared to enjoy needling the former Goldman Sachs executive for his wealth and for not directly answering certain questions.
Murphy, who is leading polls in the race by double digits, did not seem to be as fazed by Guadagno's jabs as he was by what he said were her factual inaccuracies on his policies and positions. He often shook his head as she spoke, asked the debate moderators to set a baseline for facts, and at one point turned to Guadagno and said, "You’ve left the middle class behind and now you’ve left the truth behind."
The tension between the two major-party candidates was cut by light, sometimes silly moments. They were asked to name their favorite fruits and vegetables — grapefruit and broccoli for Murphy, Jersey tomatoes and cranberries for Guadagno. Guadagno was asked whether she would consider naming her boss, Gov. Chris Christie, to the U.S. Senate should U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez resign. "No," she said emphatically.
