EASTON (AP) — The three Republicans running in the state’s U.S. Senate special election have sparred in their first debate of the campaign.

Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and Cohasset businessman Gabriel Gomez jousted on everything from the recent across-the-board spending cuts to the use of the filibuster in the Senate.

The three also agreed on many issues raised in the Tuesday night matchup at Stonehill College.

All three hailed Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s recent filibuster, calling it a legitimate tactic to force the Obama administration to clarify its drone policy.

The three also faulted Washington for failing to reach a deal to avoid $85 billion in spending cuts.

Gomez said senators should be limited to two terms and Sullivan and Winslow said they’d pledge not to serve more than two terms.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.