With the election inching closer, the candidates hoping to snag the seat held by Rep. Peter King are not holding back any jabs in their on-air campaign ads.
Democrat Jackie Gordon is running against Republican Assemblyman Andrew Gaborino for the seat held by King for decades.
One TV ad questions Gordon's military service. Gordon, a former Babylon councilwoman, spent nearly 30 years in the Army and was deployed overseas. The commercial references military documents that say Gordon was suspended from her duties as battalion commander because of a toxic command climate.
News 12 obtained the documents. The documents state the toxic climate was because of a falling out between Gordon and four other commanders in the battalion. The documents also say Gordon left her post to campaign for Babylon Town Council. Gordon did have permission to leave, but she allegedly did other things she wasn't supposed to do like posing for pictures in her combat uniform.
In addition, the documents reference the mishandling of weapons, highlighting an instance when a grenade launcher went missing.
Political analyst Jerry Kremer says the partisan mudslinging is a sign that congressional District 2, which was safely held by the GOP for so long, might be a toss-up.
"I wouldn't be shocked if it flipped on election night," says Kremer. "Either way, the margin between these two candidates is going to be close. But this is now a competitive district with national money coming in from both parties."
Gaborino issued a statement saying, "While I respect and honor the service of every veteran that serves our nation, it is deeply troubling that the reports we have all seen about Jackie Gordon are true."
News 12 repeatedly reached out to Gordon, but so far she has not commented on the matter.