(Associated Press) The long-festering feud between Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg has erupted in a high-stakes debate that’s testing the strength of the Democratic Party’s shrinking pool of presidential candidates.

The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend has emerged as an unlikely presidential power player, gaining ground with a centrist message.

Warren attacked his fundraising practices, while Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar challenged his limited governing experience.

The debate came a day after a highly contentious vote to impeach President Donald Trump.

With the Republican-controlled Senate likely to acquit him, the stakes are high for Democrats to select a challenger who can defeat Trump in November.