Oct 29, 2004 — Candidates for Congress in the 23rd district met this week in Plattsburgh at a debate sponsored by Mountain Lake Public Television Station, and the League of Women Voters of the Plattsburgh area. The candidates faced citizen questions, and a panel including Stasia Arcarese of the League of Women Voters, Bob Grady, of the Plattsburgh Press Republican, and North Country Public Radio's Brian Mann. Both the incumbent and the challenger hail from the western portion of the huge district, which stretches from Plattsburgh past Oswego. Republican John McHugh of Watertown is seeking his seventh term in the House of Representatives. Democrat Dr. Robert Johnson is a thoracic surgeon who settled a year and a half ago in Sackets Harbor, on Lake Ontario. After brief introductory statements, the debate opened with questions recorded earlier in Plattsburgh. The moderator is Mountain Lake volunteer Bill Owens. Thanks to Mountain Lake PBS for audio of this debate.