Sacramento's two mayoral candidate traded jabs in an often intense, hour-and-a-half debate before students and faculty at California State University, Sacramento.

The tone became combative, with challenger Kevin Johnson attacking Mayor Heather Fargo on her record of fighting crime. "Under the Mayor's tenure, the last 7-years, violent crime has increased 55-percent," said Johnson.

Fargo responded by questioning Johnson's statistics, saying they are different from the ones she's received from the police chief. "In the last two years, crime has gone down in Sacramento. According to Mr. Johnson, it hasn't. I tend to go along with the police chief," she said.

Johnson repeated his theme that the city needs new leadership, saying, "Leadership doesn't make excuses, leadership finds a way to get things done."

In turn, Fargo questioned Johnson's leadership of his St. Hope organization. "$800,000 has disappeared and was misappropriated by you as the leader of that organization. Where did it go? It was supposed to go to children who needed it."

Johnson responded, saying, "You have a couple of things you're being investigated about as well, whether you're talking library or water meters. You have your own set of issues."

On gay marriage, Johnson said his position has been clear all along. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but that (it) is not my position to impose that. I do not believe that anybody should be discriminated against." Fargo reiterated her support. "I think people who love each other should be able to get married, regardless of whether they're a same sex couple or not."

After the debate, CSUS students weighed in. Lindsay Keyes said she thought Johnson was short on specifics, adding, "The great example was Heather Fargo talking about the budget and where you're going to get the extra money for additional police and fire protection."

Some students felt it ended in a draw. "It's really hard to tell. But they both, to me, did a really excellent job," said Nakita Clark.

Government major Joaquin Castaneda said he felt Johnson had the upper hand throughout. "I wasn't decided going in," he said. "Now coming out I can definitely feel more confident in giving my vote to Kevin Johnson."