The pace of a congressional race in the Syracuse area is beginning to pick up and some themes of the battle ahead are becoming clearer. YNN's Bill Carey it could be anyone's race in the contest for Congress in Central New York.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- It's considered one of the true "toss up" races for the House this fall. The rematch of republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle and the democrat she ousted from office two years ago, Dan Maffei.

In interviews, like this one on "Capital Tonight," Maffei makes it clear he will try to paint Buerkle as out of step with the district.

“She has voted, consistently, with Tea Party values, not Central New York values. She represents a particular point of view, but it is not a consensus point of view in this district,” Maffei said.

Two years after winning the seat, Buerkle says she has no apologies to make when it comes to representing the desires of the people back home.

Buerkle said, “We have a far better handle on this district than my opponent does, because I've spent the last 18 months, as has my staff, making sure we're in touch with, in tune with the people who live here.”

There has been some polling on the race, with mixed results. A republican sponsored survey gave Buerkle a four percent lead. A poll paid for by the democrats gave Maffei the lead, by the same four points.

There have been voter "waves" in the past. In 2008, they favored the democrats. In 2010, the republicans. But observers say there is no perceptible wave heading in to 2012. In a swing district, it's unclear which candidate benefits.

“While there may be no obvious wave, I think the sentiment of the American people and certainly the people in the district, is that they just don't feel good about the way things are going,” Buerkle said.

Maffei said, “We have to have a member of Congress who represents, to the best of that person's ability, the district. And not just one particular faction of the district every single time, but listens to all factions of the district. All different groups. Rural, urban, suburban.”

In the months to come, Buerkle will try to tie Maffei to the policies of the Obama administration. Maffei will paint Buerkle as a tea party loyalist who has added to gridlock in the capital.

The goal, on both sides, to reach undecided voters, about 10 percent of the electorate, who will have the final say on who serves, come 2013.

The pace of a congressional race in the Syracuse area is beginning to pick up and some themes of the battle ahead are becoming clearer. YNN's Bill Carey it could be anyone's race in the contest for Congress in Central New York.