The Republican state attorney general candidate had the stage to herself Wednesday at a News 12 debate, but she still had to answer tough questions.

Democrat Andrew Cuomo declined an invitation to participate. Former Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro blasted her opponent for not attending, saying voters outside of New York City deserve to hear from him. Moderators questioned Pirro on reports she considered wiretapping her husband's boat. The candidate said she did not betray her office in doing so and reiterated that her record is what?s important.

Pirro also defended herself in reference to a letter fellow Republican and former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer sent to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. The letter, written three years ago, questioned whether Pirro used her position as district attorney to protect corrupt officials and punish political enemies. The candidate said she looked at the letter because it was her responsibility to do so. She says she then turned it over to the attorney general for investigation.

After the debate, a spokesperson for Cuomo told News 12 his opponent misled the public and covered up her wrongdoings.

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