The race for state attorney in Orange-Osceola County is not only heating up, but getting lots of attention.

Lawson Lamar and Jeff Ashton have made headlines ever since the Casey Anthony case, and have since become bitter rivals.

The two faced off in News 13's exclusive debate Tuesday night.

Fireworks were expected between the two candidates during the debate at the University of Central Florida.

“This has the potential to be the most intense debate we will see all election cycle,” said News 13 political analyst Frank Torres.

Lawson Lamar has held his seat as state attorney for decades.

Jeff Ashton was cast into the national spotlight while prosecuting Casey Anthony.

“Plus they really don’t like each other, there has been some times on the trail where they have really let their composure slip, there is chance we can have some real moments in tomorrow’s debate,” said Torres.

Democrats Lamar and Ashton were in a Democratic Primary race whose winner would take on the Republican opponent, Joerg Jaeger, in November, but when Jaeger withdrew from the race in June, only Democrats were left.

That means the primary is now a universal primary, and all registered voters in the Ninth Circuit can vote in the election, not just Democrats.

Thus far, the handling of Casey Anthon and her failed prosecution has drawn some fierce finger-pointing.

“There were four people in that room, and I never dictate what charges we will pursue, I always ask and we work together. All four people in that room agreed on first-degree murder and agreed on seeking the death penalty,” said Lamar in a recent interview for News 13’s Political Connections.

Ashton claims that the state attorney’s office is broken. He said low salaries and a lack of appreciation equals unhappy attorneys.

“Morale is very poor at the state attorney’s office right now, lawyers do not feel respected, that’s the main thing,” said Ashton in a recent interview.

Lamar claims Ashton is too Hollywood for the state attorney’s office.

“I don’t try to look flashy or good, I’m not about looking at me. I’m about running the most efficient state attorney’s office in the entire state of Florida,” said in a recent press conference.