New Jersey governor candidates Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) tangled over political violence during their first gubernatorial debate Sunday evening at Rider University.

Following the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk , a reporter Sunday asked the candidates whether they would you support legislation to label political violence as a hate crime.

Sherrill got first crack at it, saying she advocated for more money for security for political candidates.

“It’s why we continue to work to fight against political hatred, and so we need to do more,” she said.

“Because in this nation we should be able to have free speech. I vow to defend and fight for free speech my entire life, but it should never devolve into political violence, that is something I’v

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