Joe Kyrillos in 2012 N.J. Senate debates

On Abortion: Pro-life in my affairs; pro-choice for society

"I have now been in three debates, and I've heard three different answers" from Kyrillos about abortion, said Menendez, who added he is pro-choice. "What I don't believe women in this state can afford is someone who goes to the Senate and is multiple-choice," he said.

On Budget & Economy: Opposes Jon Corzine economic strategy

Kyrillos, who denied that assertion, meanwhile, tried to tie Menendez to Corzine. After leaving office, Corzine led MF Global, a futures-trading financial firm that collapsed in October 2011, in one of the largest bankruptcies in American history. "He's pursuing a Jon Corzine economic strategy," Kyrillos said of his opponent. "Reelecting him to the Senate would be like sending Jon Corzine to the Senate."

Kyrillos blamed Menendez for New Jersey's economic woes, while the Democrat focused on the money and projects he said he has brought to New Jersey as its senator.

On Government Reform: Cut spending, taxes and job-killing regulations

"We're making all the wrong decisions in Washington, D.C.," he said.

Menendez emphasized his efforts to help the middle class grow and prosper, listing New Jersey's biotechnology and solar industries as areas that he helped to promote.

Both candidates indicated that failing to avoid the impending "fiscal cliff"--a set of large spending cuts and tax increases set to take effect in January unless Congress takes action--would be unacceptable.

Menendez promised Congress would find a way to meet this challenge. "There will be no tax increases on New Jerseyans or Americans in January," he said.

Kyrillos attacked Menendez and the Congress for waiting until the last minute to respond. "I'm not sure he understands what's at stake. I can't believe that they allow the uncertainty to exist out there," Kyrillos said. "Why can't they get their act together?"

On Budget & Economy: Wrong policy: Higher taxes, more spending, more debt

Menendez said as long as Kyrillos is bringing up "ghosts" of past governors, he should acknowledge voting for former Gov. Christie Whitman's borrowing plan to fill gaps in the state's pension system, which he said "exploded the debt."

On Civil Rights: Evolved from opposing civil unions to support over marriage

Kyrillos, who has voted against same-sex marriage twice in the state Senate, jumped on Menendez for changing his mind and said he wanted to "motivate civil unions," legislation he voted against in 2006.

On Corporations: Small business tax affects a lot of small business owners

On Jobs: Supports state law for minimum wage, but no Amendment

Menendez and Kyrillos cast blame in each others' direction for New Jersey's 9.9% unemployment rate, which is significantly above the national rate of 7.8%. "Other states see their unemployment rates lowering," Menendez said. "What are you doing to create jobs? I don't see it."

For his part, Kyrillos said Menendez was "outsourcing his responsibility" for New Jersey's troubles, and on the state level brought the blame back to the last governor, a Democrat.

On Abortion: Supports parental notifications and waiting periods

The campaign has pressed for women's votes, noting that Mr. Kyrillos declined to vote on a resolution supporting an equal-pay act.

Mr. Kyrillos, more velveteen and affable, does not come off as an extremist. He said that he was unfamiliar with the questionnaire, but that he supported parental notifications and waiting periods for abortions--positions, he said, most voters also support.

At the debate on Thursday, Kyrillos declined to answer when asked if he would support a Supreme Court nominee who would most likely vote to overturn the law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriage. He said only that he would give a fair hearing to a president's nominees.

On Principles & Values: If you think things are just fine, choose my opponent

Kyrillos's campaign has appealed broadly to voter frustration with Washington. "If you think things are just fine, that things are O.K. here in New Jersey and across the land, well, then you'll choose my opponent again," he said. "But if you think that unemployment doubling under his watch, the deficit quadrupling, our national debt doubling is unacceptable," he added, "then you're going to make a change." (National unemployment figures reported on Friday showed the rate dropping below 8%, to 7.8%.)

Echoing Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, Mr. Kyrillos added: "I believe in America. I believe we can do better."

On Principles & Values: Introduced to his wife by Gov. Christie

Former Gov. Chris Christie introduced Kyrillos to the woman he would marry. He has been a loyal soldier for the governor, supporting a property-tax cap and initiatives to reverse the effects of a court ruling that requires the state to help equalize spending between rich and poor school districts.