The first and only Congressional debate this year took place in Woodbridge, but its spiritual center was Wooster Square. That began when a question about who truly represents the Italian American community transformed into three different views on history, culture, and the best ingredients for an equitable society.

Those perspectives were offered by the three contenders for the U.S. House of Representatives Third District seat, which includes New Haven and its surrounding suburbs. Longtime incumbent Democrat Rosa DeLauro joined her two challengers, Republican Margaret Streicker and Green Justin Paglino, at six foot-plus distances inside the Jewish Community Center’s auditorium.