BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The hour-long debate featured a deep dive into local, state and federal issues, as well as critiques on each other's records as lawmakers. One of the most highly-contested races nationwide, CA-22 is a difficult-to-predict toss-up. Republicans eager to keep incumbent David Valadao in office. While Democrats trying for the second time for a victory for Rudy Salas. The high-stakes nature of CA-22 was felt during Wednesday night's debate, the first and likely last, between Salas and Valadao. Political analysts discuss the CD-22 debate between Rudy Salas and David Valadao "We've served the exact same amount of time in elected office. But he's served in the state where the problems are being created, and we're in the federal level trying to prevent Sacramento's problems from flowing across the nation," Valadao said of Salas. "He's been elected longer than I have," Salas replied. "Obviously math's not his thing. It's 10 years, we've both served 10 years. Obviously addition's not his thing," Valadao rebutted. According to an exclusive Emerson College and Nexstar poll shows immigration is top-of-mind for the district's voters. "So when we talk about the idea of sending people back across the border, I'd say those are the first we start with," those, as in criminals, the Congressman said. And post-debate clarification he's not for mass deportations. "I'm a strong supporter of the guest worker program, I'm a strong supporter of making sure we take care of kids who came here at no fault of their own," Valadao said. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage "People are scared about the rhetoric they hear from the other side about mass deportation plans, about tearing families apart again," Salas says he supports a pathway to citizenship. Another hot-button topic the debate highlighted was the economy. Specifically, the cost of gas and minimum wage. "I've always been consistent in voting no on the gas tax … we should pay people what they're worth," Salas said about the tax. On high gas prices, Valadao said, "And so we have to look at the source of the problem. The source of the problem is the supermajority in Sacramento … That's tax policy, energy policy, all those things play a role in lowering the cost for business." Valadao says minimum wage should be up to the states. The debate also offered both candidates a chance to respond to attacks from the other side. "Ads are running ahead of this election, calling your views on abortion extreme…" 17's Alex Fisher asked. Bakersfield Police Department searches for missing adult near east 21st Street "I do support the exceptions, obviously to rape, incest and life of the mother, and I do support IVF," Valadao responded. For Salas, critiques that though he was the only Democrat to vote against raising the state's gas tax, he missed votes on other measures. "You've received criticism from Republicans for missing at least four votes on freezing annual gas tax increases. You've said you only vote on final versions of bills…" CBS 47's Brian Dorman asked Salas. "We are involved in the entire process by offering amendments, by talking with our colleagues," Salas said. You can watch the full debate here.