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Joined onstage with colleague Henry Rosoff, Dan Mannarino started with a question for Democrat Dale Caldwell.

Why qualified?

"I'm new to this statewide politics," said Caldwell. "I've traveled all 21 counties. The voters are looking for leaders with experience, ethics and empathy."

Stong passion - he said - for small business.

Same question for Republican Jim Gannon.

"I'm prepared to lead," said Gannon. "It will be seamless when he leaves the area."

State agency he would lead?

Crime and counterterrorism, his strong suit, said Gannon.

"To keep New Jersey safe."

Caldwell?

Formerly served in Community Affairs.

"Certainly, I will add value in multiple departments."

Caldwell next took a crack at property taxes.

Shared services. "It takes experience in government to reduce taxes through shared services."

Will the Sherrill-Caldwell Administration reduce taxes?

"That is our goal."

Gannon?

"For the last eight years, Governor Murphy's controlled the governor's office. We haven't seen property taxes go down. I've done work on that [shared services]."

Another question for Gannon.

Will property taxes be lowered?

"Yes, they will," Gannon promised.

Plan for reduction?

Caldwell: Expand programs like StayNJ and Anchor.

Gannon?

"Yes, it is. Stick with [Anchor]."

Caldwell: Trump taking money from NJ Budget [Medicaid, for example].

Gannon: Don't blame Trump.

Would Caldwell consider leaving the power grid?

All options on the table.

Gannon?

All options on the table.

How would Caldwell defuse violence?

His father marched with MLK.

Moreover: "Trump has become a divider in chief, and Jack Ciattarelli has said he supports him."

Gannon?

"First of all, God bless your father and MLK. Great men."

Affordable housing cropped up as an issue.

Alter Mount Laurel, Gannon?

Def.

"Get together with people on all sides of the issue."

Caldwell?

Empty office parks. Build and expand on existing infrastructure.

"For more folks."

Caldwell on jobs:

"Proponent for small businesses. ...Clear out the bureaucracy of government."

Immigrant Trust Directive.

Scrap?

Caldwell: No yes or no answer.

Gannon: Day one. The ITD has to go.

Federal government shutdown looming.

Looks likely.

Would administration find money to help people losing benefits?

Caldwell:

"You judge society by how you treat the most vulnerable. Right now, we're not a good society. They're supporting a Trump Administration, which is gutting New Jersey."

Doesn't know where to find the money.

"Billions of dollars are being taken out of taxpayers' pockets."

Gannon:

The state budget went up 70% in eight years.

"I think we can find the money."

Caldwell:

"Why do billionaires need tax breaks?"

Gannon:

"$58 billion budget." A lot of it pork.

"I think we can dip in there."

Continue annual 3% NJT fare increase?

Business approach: Caldwell.

Stop the fare increase?

"We have to look at them."

Gannon:

"Yes. We have to stop it. The people can't do it anymore."

Gannon:

"People can't do it anymore. It's a broken system that needs total review."

Caldwell:

"Our focus is obviously to keep tolls flat. They're making promises they can't pay for on top of the $5 billion [Trump cuts]."

Murphy legacy.

What would Caldwell change?

"Obviously energy pricing. He could have absolutely done more to keep prices flat."

What would Gannon support?

"I like the concept of no cellphones in the classroom."

In their closing statements, Caldwell cited Sheriff Gannon as "a true gentleman," but decried Ciattarelli for promising too much, agreeing, he said, with Ciattarelli GOP Primary rival Bill Spadea, the 101.5 FM radio host, who has not endorsed Ciattarelli.

Said Gannon:

“You can rely on me. I will always do the right thing and what is in the best interest of the people of New Jersey. It is a tall task, but I’m ready for it."