Most Dramatic Moments From Rep. Mike Lawler's Fiery Debate With Democrat Kit Connelly in Battle for House Control

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) clashed with Democrat Kit Connelly in a heated debate over ICE enforcement, sanctuary cities and bail reform in New York's swing district.

Mike Lawler engages with his opponent in a fiery debate

Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Keith Conley, a Democrat, clashed on several fronts during a Pix11 news debate less than three weeks before the midterm elections.

Tensions flared on the debate stage Wednesday night, where Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced off against veteran Democrat Keith Connelly to represent upstate New York in Congress.

Lawler is running for a third term representing the Empire State's 17th Congressional District.

One of the few remaining swing seats in Congress, this race could determine which party controls the House in the second half of Donald Trump's presidency.

Below are some of the most dramatic moments during an hour of coverage on PIX11 News:

How a New York suburb can decide which party controls the house

Lawler asks the moderator to "focus on the bandit" who was taken by ICE

While the debate was filled with criticism from the two political rivals, a tense moment came when Lawler turned his anger on showrunner Dan Mannarino.

Mannarino asked Connelly and Lawler what to do to rein in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who defy their directives, citing the recent shooting of an undocumented immigrant in the Bronx by federal officers while the 5-year-old boy was in the car.

Lawler pointed to the man's rap sheet and accused state Democratic leaders of creating the conditions with Gov. Cathy Hochul's recent sanctuary and reform policies. He also accused Connelly of supporting these policies.

The host began, "Mr. Lawler, I just want to follow up. The question was, how do you make sure that ICE agents don't go after targets, and what is discipline?"

"I understand the question," Lawler said amid cross-talk.

Protests broke out in the Bronx after an ice agent shot a man during an immigration operation

"But you didn't answer that question," Mannarino said.

"I understand the question. But here's the problem, Danny," Lawler replied. "You guys want to focus on a gang that's putting people at risk? I want to make sure our communities are safe."

Illegal immigrant accused of murder listens to university student from hospital bed

Lawler and Connelly clash over Sheridan Gorman's killer

The current president notably used the immigration impasse to address the case of Sheridan Gorman, a teenager from his district who was shot and killed near his college campus in Chicago earlier this year. The defendant is an illegal immigrant who was previously arrested for shoplifting but was never turned over to ICE due to Chicago's sanctuary policies.

Connelly called Gorman's death a "brutal crime," while Lawler repeatedly said it was "preventable."

Sheridan Gorman's mother blasts Democratic lawmakers, says she refuses to listen to families of dead Americans.

"Can I finish?" An angry Connelly shot back. "This was a heinous crime committed in Chicago. And that man should have been exiled. And I will support federal agents and federal law enforcement, federal immigration enforcement, and make sure violent criminals are deported."

Lawler then pointed out, however, that the man would have been fired only if there were no sanctuary laws — laws he has repeatedly accused Connelly, along with his fellow Democrats, of supporting.

"This is important," Lawler began as the moderator tried to take control. “If you think he should have been deported when he was arrested for shoplifting, he should have been turned over to ICE. Under the new law you support, he will not be turned over to ICE and will be released on no-cash bail.

"Mr. Lawler, there is no cross-examination, so thank you." said the presenter.

"If you wanted to be moderator, you should have volunteered," Connelly quipped to his GOP rival.

Connelly accuses Lawler of "complaining" about sexual assault

At another point, the candidates were asked whether there should be a definition or federal law for consent to help stop sexual assault.

Connelly used the moment to attack Lawler for being allied with Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller, who was accused of domestic violence by his wife. Miller has denied the allegations.

Lawler said their case was "tragic" and should be handled in family court without assigning blame to either party. He then accused Connelly of taking money from former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was identified as a client in a 2008 federal investigation into a prostitution ring. Spitzer was never prosecuted and resigned as governor amid the scandal.

"I'm sorry. I don't need — I don't need you to explain to me domestic abuse and sexual assault against women," Connelly snapped. "Don't start. I don't need you to explain to me, Mike."

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