The hourlong debate on Fox56 put the candidates in the contest for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District before voters less than two weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Dembo, a former federal prosecutor and Navy veteran, presented himself as an independent-minded moderate. Alvarado, a physician, emphasized his healthcare experience and characterized Dembo as a liberal lawyer.

On grocery costs, Dembo said he had noticed higher ground-beef prices and opposed addressing them by increasing imports of cheap foreign beef, arguing that domestic cattle farmers should be able to earn a living. Alvarado said he and his wife grow much of their own food and buy some beef from local farmers. He also accused Dembo of supporting higher taxes, then said his wife generally handles grocery shopping because patients often approach him when he shops in person.

The candidates both discussed the Iran conflict and its effect on fuel prices, but differed on the path forward. Dembo said suspending the federal gas tax could provide short-term relief, but called it a temporary fix. He opposed the war and said it should end, citing the risks to U.S. service members and the absence of an exit plan.

Alvarado said he supported tax reductions, including on gas, and also said it was time to end the war. He argued that fuel prices could remain high afterward and called for more oil refineries in the United States. He also said Iran has sought to develop a nuclear weapon.

Data centers — and their potential effects on electricity bills, utilities and the environment — have become a point of debate in Kentucky communities. Both candidates said they supported federal protections for ratepayers. Alvarado backed local authority over whether a data center is built in a community and questioned a $500,000 donation from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman to a political action committee supporting Dembo. Hoffman has been linked to Epstein.

Dembo said he had never met Hoffman and could not speak for outside groups. Federal law bars political action committees from coordinating with campaigns. Alvarado’s campaign adviser, Tim Murtaugh, said after the debate that Alvarado would have supported releasing the Epstein records, provided victims’ names were protected.

Dembo also said he was honored to have the endorsement of Jim Gray, a former Lexington mayor and state transportation secretary whose family business, Gray Construction, has built data centers. Asked about his relationship with Gray, Dembo said he knew him through his public service and their overlapping time in Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration.

After the debate, Murtaugh called it one-sided and said Alvarado had highlighted issues on which Dembo was out of step with the district. Alvarado did not appear before reporters; Dembo said he planned to campaign across the district’s 16 counties and attend a Saturday town hall.

Kentucky early voting begins Oct. 29. A forum featuring both candidates is scheduled for Tuesday at Estill County High School.