This, along with the MontCo commissioners race, will be one of the key contests to watch on election day to gauge Democratic strength in the Philly ‘burbs.

Candidates for Bucks County commissioner debated the issues and traded barbs at a public forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the chambers of commerce Thursday.

Republican Commissioners Charley Martin and Jim Cawley faced Democratic challengers Lower Makefield Supervisor Steve Santarsiero and Middletown Supervisor Diane Marseglia, as well as Constitution Party candidate Jay Russell.

The biggest gasp from the audience gathered at Bucks County Community College in Newtown Township came when Martin referenced his “two” opponents. Russell seized upon what he perceived as a slight and corrected Martin, saying he had three opponents. That’s when Cawley took a jab at an unsuspecting Santarsiero, saying: “What makes you think he didn’t mean Steve?”

But the forum allowed for little deviation from one-minute-long answers and candidates mostly stuck to the issues. A question about transparency gave Republicans a chance to tout recent initiatives. Although the county has less leverage than municipalities when negotiating with cable giant Comcast, Cawley said, they’re in discussions about starting a channel for static bulletins.