GOOCHLAND, Va. (WTVR)--Republican Congressman, Eric Cantor and his Democratic challenger, Wayne Powell, each stood their ground during a lively debate in the battle for Virginia’s 7th congressional district.

While a number of topics surfaced, including healthcare, transportation and the environment, the discussion always ended on the economy.

“How do you create more jobs?” Cantor said. “You help small business people by giving them a tax break, they can keep more money, put it to the bottom line, grow their businesses.”

“He never talks about working people,” Powell said. “He only talks about businesses.”

Powell tried to paint Cantor as a lawmaker more worried about corporations and the wealthy, than as someone interested in creating jobs for those in his district. “You'll say it's the president’s fault, but, it's not,” he said.

“It's your responsibility. You're the leader of congress and you're not,” Powell said.

Cantor said he is working to better the economy, by highlighting his work with Vice-President Joe Biden to come up with two trillion dollars in possible savings. The longtime congressman said Powell, who has never served in Washington, doesn't have what it takes.

“The fact is, I don't think Mr. Powell understands what being a congressman is about,” Cantor said.

“You're right, I've never been in Congress, but, I will be soon,” Powell said.

Powell told the crowd he’d vote to maintain the Bush tax cuts for those earning less than $500,000 and he'd cut defense spending by reducing the number of outsourcing done by the department.

Cantor said a tax increase and targeting the department of defense is the last thing Virginia needs.

“It’s not magical thinking. I'm not attacking you, I’m describing you,” Powell said.

“You can go on your personal attacks all you want, it's not doing anything to create a job,” Cantor said.

The debate wasn’t full of disagreements. Both men agree the government needs to have less of a role when it comes to transportation.

Click on the video for more of a look at the debate, and click over to Facebook to leave your comments on how the debate went. https://www.facebook.com/cbs6wtvr

While a number of topics surfaced, including healthcare, transportation and the environment, the discussion always ended on the economy.

“How do you create more jobs?” Cantor said. “You help small business people by giving them a tax break, they can keep more money, put it to the bottom line, grow their businesses.”

“He never talks about working people,” Powell said. “He only talks about businesses.”

Powell tried to paint Cantor as a lawmaker more worried about corporations and the wealthy, than as someone interested in creating jobs for those in his district. “You'll say it's the president’s fault, but, it's not,” he said.

“It's your responsibility. You're the leader of congress and you're not,” Powell said.

Cantor said he is working to better the economy, by highlighting his work with Vice-President Joe Biden to come up with two trillion dollars in possible savings. The longtime congressman said Powell, who has never served in Washington, doesn't have what it takes.

“The fact is, I don't think Mr. Powell understands what being a congressman is about,” Cantor said.

“You're right, I've never been in Congress, but, I will be soon,” Powell said.

Powell told the crowd he’d vote to maintain the Bush tax cuts for those earning less than $500,000 and he'd cut defense spending by reducing the number of outsourcing done by the department.

Cantor said a tax increase and targeting the department of defense is the last thing Virginia needs.

“It’s not magical thinking. I'm not attacking you, I’m describing you,” Powell said.

“You can go on your personal attacks all you want, it's not doing anything to create a job,” Cantor said.

The debate wasn’t full of disagreements. Both men agree the government needs to have less of a role when it comes to transportation.

Click on the video for more of a look at the debate, and click over to Facebook to leave your comments on how the debate went. https://www.facebook.com/cbs6wtvr