The latest Siena poll of New York’s contested Congressional races brings news that Democrat incumbent Louise Slaughter has a 10-point lead over her Republican challenger, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, in the newly drawn 25th Congressional district.

The court-drawn redistricting plan put the entire new district inside Monroe County. With six weeks remaining in the campaign, this poll of likely voters has Slaughter leading Brooks, 52 percent to 42 percent.

Two opposing candidates sharing the stage – something rare in politics. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Republican challenger Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks attended a dedication ceremony for a new math and science hall at Nazareth College on Thursday. But the friendly gathering gave way to partisanship in this hotly contested congressional race in the 25th district.

The Brooks camp is firing back, releasing its first negative ad Thursday in response to Slaughters' attack ads that began hitting the airwaves earlier this month.

"The difference between my ad and hers is ours is factual,” said Brooks, (R).

In the Brooks ad, she takes aim at Slaughter's record, saying she is backing a host of taxes.

"She has repeatedly raised taxes on middle class families. She has added trillions to the debt and deficit, she has one of the highest absentee rates in Congress,” Brooks said.

"Nobody's going to buy that. I've been running here; they know me,” said Slaughter, (D).

Slaughter's ads have implied corruption at the county level under the leadership of Maggie Brooks.

"I am concerned about Monroe County; I have been, as I said to you the other day, for a very long time. While I’m down in Washington, writing reports like America for Sale and the Stock Act which prevented members of Congress and the staff from trading inside information, there is a lot of cronyism, I'm very concerned,” said Slaughter.

With the election less than two months away, it will be up to the voters to do their homework, check facts, and decide who they think would be the better candidate to represent them in Washington.

"I put my faith in voters. I'm going to focus and finish and I'm very optimistic,” Brooks said.

"We never count votes until they're cast. We'll continue to work extremely hard to earn the trust and votes of people,” said Slaughter.

Over the next month or so, voters can expect to get an earful, whether it's in the form of literature or TV ads, before this hotly contested seat is filled.