Consider the race between Senator Chris Murphy and Republican challenger Matthew Corey

NEWINGTON, Conn. (WFSB) – The Election Day countdown continues.

While much attention is being paid to determining our next president, there is also an important statewide race to vote on.

Senator Chris Murphy is up for re-election. He is being challenged by Republican businessman and veteran Matthew Corey.

In 2018, Senator Murphy won with just under 60% of the vote.

He is now seeking his third term. Matt Corey believes this time could be different.

“The stakes are high in this election,” Murphy said.

“It’s very high. It’s a difference in where this country is going,” Corey said.

That may be the only thing these two candidates agree on.

Businessman Matt Corey attempts to climb a steep hill and attempt to dethrone Chris Murphy. Murphy has been a U.S. senator for almost 12 years.

Corey says it will be difficult, but it’s time for another voice to represent Connecticut in Washington.

Although he fell short in the first battle with Murphy in 2018, receiving 39% of the vote, Corey says he feels more confident running in the same year as former President Trump.

“President Trump is doing well in CT. I’m not saying everyone will vote for him, but if you look at the policies the former president is putting forward, they are pro-growth and putting money in your pocket,” Corey said.

Senator Murphy is also feeling good on the way home.

The two candidates faced off last night in the first and only debate.

They focused on several issues, including the economy, abortion and the southern border.

“I believe in growing the economy from the middle. I just don’t understand why Republicans are targeting the wealthy and giving tax cuts to billionaires and corporations,” Murphy said. “I want to protect abortion nationally, Republicans are trying to pass a national abortion ban.”

“Just look at your life today. Are they better off today than they were four years ago, or in Senator Murphy’s case, six years ago? We all know the answer to that,” Corey said. “It’s affordability. Being able to buy a house, rent a house, that weighs heavily on our shoulders here.”

Both responded to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial comments during former President Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden.

“There is literally a floating waste island in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said.

“That kind of language would never have been accepted by a mainstream political party twenty years ago. Now Republicans appear to be accepting the racism that has crept into the mainstream of their party,” Murphy said.

‘Look, this was a comedian. This comedian does not represent the entire Republican Party,” Corey said.

Meanwhile, both Murphy and Corey think they’ll get a boost thanks to the presidential ticket.

Corey knows he’s going to need it. He was 280,000 votes behind Murphy in 2018.

“I think Kamala Harris is going to win this campaign, but I think it will be very close,” Murphy said.

“I hope I’m your next United States Senator. I’m not going to think about a race that I can’t win. I do this because I love my country and my state,” Corey said.

Early voting ends Sunday.