Westchester and Hudson Valley voters listened to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Suozzi speak about issues ranging from property taxes to the Tappan Zee Bridge at a News 12 debate Thursday.

The Nassau County executive, who previously served as mayor of Glen Cove, Long Island, said he is running to fix state government and cut property taxes. Suozzi argued that if Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is elected, he will increase spending. He also took aim at the aging Tappan Zee Bridge, which he promised to fix. Suozzi said he wants to create a commuter rail line that would run near the bridge. The lawmaker tackled the issue of the problem-prone Indian Point facility, which provides 11 percent of the state?s power. The candidate said he would shut it down after working to find a replacement supply.

Suozzi touched on other issues, such as gay marriage. The lawmaker said while he is in favor of equal treatment under the law, he feels marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.

Fellow Democratic challenger Eliot Spitzer leads in the polls. He declined to participate in the debate. Democrats will cast their ballots in the primary on September 12.