Story updated 6:11 p.m.: Scott Wallace’s campaign reached out to issue an apology.

As the political climate continues to heat up, challenger Scott Wallace lost his cool during a debate with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Sunday night at the Congregation Tifereth Israel in Bensalem, Wallace used an expletive and “dropped an f-bomb” in front of those attending.

“Ironically, there was a later question about the need for civility in politics,” Fitzpatrick told WBCB. “Well, a good start is to not use vulgarities in the sanctuary of a synagogue in the middle of a congressional debate.”

Both candidates were standing on the synagogue’s ‘bimah,’ an elevated platform used for reading the Torah during services, when Wallace used the expletive. Fitzpatrick was “stunned” Wallace made the comment.

In addition to Fitzpatrick, people in the synagogue and the moderator took exception with Wallace’s obscenity.

“You’ll have to ask Scott Wallace what his motivations were,” Fitzpatrick said.

“My sense is he was frustrated because I was cross examining him on the ad he’s running, which is a false ad based on my position on pre-existing conditions. I was asking him a series of questions on what bill he was referring to, had he read it, and he came out with this expletive.”

Wallace has accused Fitzpatrick of voting to take healthcare coverage away from people with pre-existing conditions, even running television advertisements on the issue. However an article published in the Washington Post’s Fact Checker states the advertisements are more than misleading.

Scott Wallace released a statement Monday evening explaining his side of the story.

“I was exasperated by yet another attempt from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to hide from his votes to take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions,” Wallace said. “I apologize for any offense that might have been taken, I am passionate about protecting people from insurance company abuses, and I’m sorry that in this instance, my frustration got the best of me.”

The incident comes just days away from the Bucks County Community College debate being held this Thursday at noon, and broadcasting live on WBCB 1490AM. The debate will also be video streamed live straight from the Lower Bucks BCCC Epstein Campus in Bristol Township at http://www.wbcb1490.com/tv and on wbcbnews.com.