The five Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Joseph Lieberman tackled some of the pressing issues of the spring campaign Monday during their first live debate at UConn’s von der Mehden Recital Hall. The candidates addressed questions regarding health care, the economy, foreign affairs, defense, and education. In a lightning round of final questions, the candidates were asked the latest book they had read, the last concert they attended, and whether they preferred the N.Y. Yankees baseball team or the Boston Red Sox.

The debate was sponsored by The Hartford Courant and FOX CT. The candidates who participated were: Susan Bysiewicz, Chris Murphy, Matthew Oakes, William Tong, and Lee Whitnum. A separate debate for Republican candidates for Connecticut’s open U.S. Senate seat is planned for June 14 at UConn. Because that debate will come after the Republican nominating convention, the roster of participating candidates has yet to be finalized.