Matthew Hamilton is reporting in the Times Union Democratic state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) and Republican George Amedore met in their first debate of the 2014 race for the 46th Senate District seat Tues., Sept. 23. Both were critical of each other's records, policy stances and even their preference in ice cream flavor at the Daily Gazette-hosted debate at Proctors GE Theatre. Both offered positions on casinos, upstate economic revival, ethics and women's issues and differed often, including from the first question, when they were asked which flavor ice cream they prefer: vanilla or chocolate? Tkaczyk went first and chose chocolate. Amedore, after some thought, picked vanilla. "He just wants to be different," she said, setting a tone that would continue throughout the night. The back-and-forth between the two was largely confined to their answer and rebuttal periods, though the audience grew rowdy often and cheered for both candidates. There also was some booing and heckling, so much so part way through Tkaczyk's closing statements that she had to pause while a mix of boos and cheers were hushed. Amedore will be a guest on WGXC's "The Right Opinion," at 10 a.m. today (Wed., Sept. 24). Read the full story in the Times Union.