LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. (WKTV) - They may be opponents on the ballot this November, but Thursday, two New York State Assembly candidates shared lunch and a room full of potential votes.

Republican incumbent Marc Butler is in his 13th year in the Assembly. Democratic challenger Dan Carter is a first year Herkimer County Legislator. The two took part in a 'Meet the Candidates' forum Thursday in Little Falls.

Butler discussed the value of his experience. Carter said that, if elected to the assembly, he would have something Butler does not: party favor. "You forge connections with people in the various departments, with certain lobbyists. I know to some people that's a bad word but quite frankly from some of the lobbyists we get good information, valuable information. They have connections that we can use to get our job done," Butler said.

"Mark and I are both the same age, we both have real life experiences. I work in industry, he worked as a reporter.  I'm a successful county legislator, I come up the same path he did really: county, city hall, county legislator," Carter added.

The Little Falls Civic Club sponsored the 'Meet the Candidates' forum at the Knight's Inn, in Little Falls.