David Klepper is reporting for the Associated Press four candidates in New York's gubernatorial race debated a variety of topics in Buffalo, Wed., Oct. 22. While Democrat incumbent Andrew Cuomo traded insults and clashed with Republican challenger Rob Astorino over the economy and corruption, Libertarian Michael McDermott and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins worked to gain attention, Klepper writes. Cuomo noted that Astorino, the Westchester County executive, has been questioned over a housing desegregation settlement and said his views are too conservative to lead the state. Astorino criticized Cuomo’s handling of the economy and government corruption. Libertarian Michael McDermott criticized the major-party candidates and urged voters to carefully consider their options. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who came in third in the 2010 race, voiced opposition to hydraulic fracturing and said the state needs to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Additional debates were proposed, but the forum Wednesday was the only one Cuomo and Astorino agreed to participate in. Read the full Associated Press story in the Daily Freeman.