Democratic candidates spar in final pre-primary debate
Winner of June 28 primary will face GOP nominee in November
The Democratic candidates for governor on Thursday squared off in Manhattan in their final debate before the June 28 primary, trading jabs over issues ranging from gun violence and wealthy campaign donors to whether they would be willing to accept an endorsement from former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams elevated their rhetoric ahead of the eight-day early voting period set to begin Saturday.
The trio of Democrats are vying to win the primary to face off in the November election against the winner of the GOP primary that features U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, businessman Harry Wilson, former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Andrew Giuliani, the son of New York City’s former mayor and confidant to former President Donald J. Trump.
Suozzi, D -Long Island, consistently looked to distinguish himself in Thursday’s debate as the moderate in the race, sparring directly with Hochul and noting he was “disappointed” with her selection of former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin months before Benjamin was indicted for bribery and corruption charges. Hochul countered by noting the “word ‘hypocrisy’ does come to mind” as she cited a congressional ethics investigation Suozzi faces related to stock transactions.
Suozzi was the lone candidate Thursday to say he would accept an endorsement from Cuomo, who resigned 10 months ago in the wake of a state attorney general’s investigation that concluded he had sexually harassed or acted inappropriately with multiple women.
“He’s still very popular among a lot of people in New York,” Suozzi said. “While he has a lot of baggage with what he’s done, he’s accomplished a great deal in the state.”
Suozzi further looked to distinguish himself as a candidate who at times has similar concerns to those of leaders of the Republican Party.
“I’m a lifelong Democrat, but we need to reduce crime and cut taxes,” Suozzi said.
On the other side, Williams,
D -Brooklyn, said Hochul has not centered enough around community-based approaches to reducing crime. His central platform is around housing, reducing violence and increasing taxes on the wealthy.
The first question of the debate was on inflation, a topic that rarely came up directly for the remainder of the debate and a topic that the Republican Party and its gubernatorial candidates have been highlighting.
On housing, Suozzi said he supports tax breaks for development of affordable housing; Williams said he backs “good cause eviction” and certain forms of rent stabilization; and Hochul touted her administration’s record on providing certain forms of affordable housing.
The framework was a similar refrain throughout the debate. For instance, on state taxes: Suozzi said income taxes should be cut; Williams supports raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires; and Hochul said her administration has avoided raising taxes and already offered a temporary gas tax suspension and middle-class property tax cut.
The three Democratic candidates also gave their definition of where “upstate” begins. Suozzi said it’s north of Putnam and
Rockland counties; Williams said, “upstate is a direction” relative to where you are, but then noted north of Poughkeepsie; Hochul defined upstate as north of Westchester County.
Suozzi and Williams both pointed to Hochul’s congressional record with the National Rifle Association, which endorsed her in 2012. Hochul, who was representing a relatively conservative district, said at the debate that she’s changed her position, something she encouraged other politicians to do.
“The only thing that evolved is the governor’s political ambitions,” Suozzi countered.
Hochul labeled it as an attack. Suozzi responded it was a “fact.”
“Excuse me, it’s my turn to answer the question,” Hochul said.
“Go ahead, we’ve been waiting months for you to answer the question,” Suozzi said.
“Please stop interrupting me,” Hochul said. “People want to hear my answer.”
Thursday’s debate was hosted by NBC 4 New York/ WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU and the Times Union.