Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak blamed Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey’s conservative policies for wrecking the economy as the two clashed in a debate Sunday that was a possible preview of the general election.

Sestak, trailing Sen. Arlen Specter in the polls five weeks before the Democratic primary, hoped his performance would convince voters that he is the better choice to make the party’s case against the likely GOP nominee.

Both candidates used the absent Specter, who was a Republican senator for nearly 30 years before jumping parties last year, as a foil, saying he lacked any core principles.