Democrat Paula Collins is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Elise Stefanik in the race for New York's 21st Congressional District.

Collins, a cannabis tax attorney, says her experience outside of politics is what makes her stand out.

“I’ve actually worked jobs that were outside of my family or outside of politics, and most voters have worked jobs that are outside of their family or outside of politics. And so I am 2,000% more relatable than Elise Stefanik," Collins said.

Stefanik is in her fifth term in Congress, going from the youngest woman elected to Congress to now the GOP Conference chair, the third-highest ranking House Republican. Stefanik says she has a proven record of results.

“Whether that's over $800 million of taxpayer dollars returned to the district in the form of grants, in the form of veterans benefits, in the form of Social Security and Medicare," Stefanik said.

Both candidates are focusing on immigration at New York’s border.

“We are very focused on securing the border. House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act, which returns to the effective policies of President Trump and importantly for my district, it also includes resources and support specifically for the northern border," Stefanik said.

That bill passed the House on a party-line vote, but died in the Senate. A second immigration bill, negotiated by some Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans, ultimately failed in the Senate before reaching the House.

“Our small businesses need seasonal help. That would be a win-win where asylum seekers could come in, they could very quickly get a temporary work visa so they could support themselves as well as pay taxes into the communities where they have landed," Collins said.

Both candidates emphasized the need to address economic concerns in the district. Stefanik referenced solutions such as investing in American manufacturing and cutting taxes. Collins says she supports initiatives of tax credits for start-up businesses and first-time-homebuyer assistance.