Democrat Mark Suben is running for his third term as Cortland County District Attorney. The incumbent, who admitted to lying about starring in adult films in the 1970s, will face off against Republican Patrick Perfetti on Election Day. Perfetti is a private practice attorney and former Navy combat veteran. Corina Cappabianca spoke with both candidates.

CORTLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- District Attorney Mark Suben had denied claims he starred in 1970s pornographic movies until after he was re-elected in 2012. It's one of the reasons his opponent Patrick Perfetti is challenging him this time around.

''It affected his ability to lead, and that absence of leadership has caused me to believe that I am an individual who can change those things," said Perfetti.

Suben says he's apologized and is running on his record.

"I made a mistake. And, I've accepted responsibility for that," he said. "I've had a very successful four years after that came out … We are effective in convicting criminals on major cases and on minor cases, and by the same token, we are mindful of the benefits of giving leniency when we are able to."

Perfetti disagrees.

"My opponent asserts that he has a very high conviction rate, but I think if you look at the convictions he's been able to obtain over the years, he will tell you that often people are pleading out to the entire indictment or top count of the indictment, but often it's with his office agreeing to them going on probation," said Perfetti.

Suben says his job is to prosecute crime and find justice in each case, and he adds that plea deals aren't giving the cases away.

"Plea deals are neither liberal nor draconian. Plea deals are a way that we do justice, frankly ... Plea deals are to fashion a resolution of a case that is fair and just," said Suben.

Perfetti says he'd run the DA's office differently.

"I think some of those people need to be removed from our community, and that liberal plea bargaining will not be part of my administration," said Perfetti.

Both candidates say fighting drugs like heroin and meth is an important issue in the community. They say education and prevention is key to combating the problem.