AMHERST, NY- With election day nearly nine months away State Republicans have three declared candidates for Governor: Lawyer and businessman Joe Holland,  Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, and former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra. Saturday, the three hopeful squared off in a debate sponsored by the Erie County Republican Committee.

The debate covered everything from taxes and education, to corruption in Albany and the Buffalo Billion. 

"Will you continue the Buffalo Billion? I if not what will you do the invigorate Western New York's economy?" said Moderator.

Each candidate criticized Cuomo repeatedly throughout the debate  And while there was little real difference in their views politically, each felt they were best qualified to take on Cuomo.    

"I think this election is about who can best represent the Republican party and who has the best chance of winning because of my experience, because of my track record, I think I have the best chance of winning in New York State," said Giambra. 

"I also have a track record of service of making an difference in the New York City area and out of that comes a network of supporters that I can cultivate to vote for me move the numbers in a positive direction and put me over the top in November," said Holland.

"I think that I am in a position to take the debate to Governor Cuomo much more aggressively and in an effective way than others, and I can get Governor Cuomo to actually discuss the issues rather than have his minions respond to everything people have to say," said DeFrancisco. 

Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy acknowledges mounting a successful race against Cuomo is going to be an uphill battle for any of the three candidates.           

"Let's face it none of the three are household names statewide," said Langworthy. "Mr. Giambra is obviously known to us here in Buffalo but nowhere else. We're going to share this debate with people around New York and I hope  that other county committees have events like this to help them come to a conclusion as to who would be our best nominee think we're all in the same boat, we want to defeat Andrew Cuomo in November."

The New York state primary takes place September 11.