Wide range of topics tackled in Democratic gubernatorial debate
Hochul, Suozzi and Williams talk crime, abortion, environment
Gov. Kathy Hochul stood between U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D -Long Island, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams on Tuesday night in the first debate among the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates, defending her record since taking over the office in August.
The hour-long debate, hosted by CBS2/WCBS 880, took place three weeks before the June 28 primary and days after the state’s legislative session ended.
Hochul has polled as the leading candidate and was endorsed by the state Democratic Party.
She has picked up numerous endorsements from top lawmakers and labor leaders and maintains a sizeable campaign fund of about $18 million, far exceeding her challengers.
In attempts to critique the incumbent, Suozzi, a moderate, and Williams, a progressive, pointed to her favorable record with the National Rifle Association while in Congress and the deal she negotiated for the state to subsidize a new stadium for Hochul’s hometown Buffalo Bills.
In response to the NRA comments the governor said she has changed and that she invites other to evolve in their opinions so national gun reforms can be passed. She also defended the deal for taxpayers to foot roughly $1 billion to build and maintain a new stadium in Orchard Park.
The next Democratic debate is scheduled for June 16. It is being moderated by the Times Union, NBC 4 New YORK/WNBC and Telemundo 47/WNJU.
Republican gubernatorial candidates — U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-long Island, Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino and Harry Wilson — are scheduled to debate each other on June 13 on CBS2.
The June 28 primary will include state Assembly races. Elections for Congress and state Senate are scheduled for Aug. 23 — a date that was moved due to court-ordered changes to political boundaries following a politically charged redistricting process.
Here is a rundown of the top debate topics:
Public safety
Gun violence, surging crime and the state’s bail laws dominated major portions of the debate. Voters have consistently told pollsters crime is their top issue.
On the state’s gun laws, Williams said Hochul’s public signing of gun legislation on Monday in response to the Buffalo mass shooting “reminded me of the Cuomo” press events. He noted the event was in the Bronx and not in Buffalo.
Suozzi said there is a “crime crisis” in New York.
Hochul said she was able to swiftly accomplish implementing new gun policies, like microstamping, that the prior administration, in which she served as lieutenant governor, could not.
Hochul added that she’s prepared to summon the Legislature back to Albany this summer if the U.S. Supreme Court, as expected, strikes down New York’s conceal carry laws.
On the state’s bail laws, Hochul argued the changes she pushed for in the budget will give judges standards on how to evaluate whether someone is “dangerous.”
Suozzi maintained his stance to allow judges to consider the potential dangerousness of a defendant when considering whether to set bail. Williams pointed to a lack of more expansive funding for gun violence prevention, saying the money for a new stadium for the Bills should have been used toward those efforts.
On Kendra’s Law, Hochul supported her administration’s stance that if someone has both a mental illness and appears to be a serious harm to themselves or others, they should be removed from a public place, like a subway, and involuntarily committed. Suozzi preferred a slightly more aggressive approach than Hochul.
Abortion
Hochul defended her administration’s push to expand access to abortion services and critiqued Suozzi’s prior stance in not supporting a repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funds from being used to pay for an abortion except in limited circumstances.
Suozzi touted his ‘A’ rating with Planned Parenthood, a provider of abortion services, and said Hochul should have “put her weight behind” a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to an abortion. She has continued to campaign on her intent to do so.
Williams pointed to both the “Equality Amendment” and the “Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program” as priorities he said Hochul should have pushed through the Legislature.
Environment
On cryptocurrency, Hochul insisted she supports the concept of a two-year moratorium on new licenses for cryptocurrency proof-of-work mining that involves the use of fossil fuel plants, but declined to commit on whether she would sign the bill recently passed by the Legislature. Suozzi said he supports the moratorium but it should be a shorter window. Williams said he supports the moratorium.
On congestion pricing in New York City, Hochul said it will have to be delayed because of federal issues, while Suozzi said it should be put on hold to bolster the economy; Williams said it should be enacted immediately to protect the climate and encourage use of public transportation.
Ethics
Hochul was critiqued for how she pushed through the deal to help pay for the Bills stadium and for any potential connection with her husband, former federal prosecutor Bill Hochul, who is an attorney for Delaware North, which provides concessions at the current stadium. She emphasized her husband was appointed by former President Barack Obama, that there were no conflicts of interest and that the stadium deal adhered to the highest ethical standards.
The governor also acknowledged that the federal indictment and resignation of her first lieutenant governor, Brian A. Benjamin, was a “step back,” but said her administration worked with the available information at the time he was appointed.
Nursing homes, COVID-19
Williams and Suozzi agreed additional independent reviews, with public input, of the COVID -19 pandemic are needed. Hochul said she met with families who lost loved ones in nursing homes due to the coronavirus and that she is seeking an independent analysis of what went wrong and right during the pandemic.
Marijuana
Hochul said the state Department of Health is working on a campaign to encourage people to be respectful of others when using marijuana. Suozzi suggested marijuana is a “gateway drug ” and it’s public use should be limited if not outright banned. Williams said it should be regulated in public spaces similar to alcohol.
Quick questions
The candidates’ “oneword” responses in a lightning round of questions:
One thing you simply cannot live without besides your family?
Hochul: My bible. Suozzi: My phone. Williams: Love of theater and acting.
No. 1 pet peeve?
Hochul: People who speak on their phone on airplanes. Suozzi: Hypocrisy. Williams: People in these jobs for the wrong reason.
Do you believe in ghosts? Hochul: I speak to my mother all of the time; communicate with someone no longer with us. Suozzi: No, but spirits though. Williams: Man of faith, so not necessarily ghosts, but afterlife. Superman or Batman? Hochul: Superwoman. Suozzi: Superman. Williams: Batman.
Biggest weakness or flaw? Hochul: Stickler for details. Suozzi: See a problem, have to solve it. Williams: OCD symptoms from Tourette syndrome and ADHD.
One place from your childhood that you wish still existed?
Hochul: Crystal Beach amusement park, in Ontario, with an “amazing roller coaster.” Suozzi: Woods across from house growing up, made forts and later built into a development. Williams: House of my grandmother that’s no longer there.
Go-to karaoke song? Hochul: “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond. Suozzi: “Beyond the Sea,” Bobby Darin. Williams: “Pretty Wings,” Maxwell. (Only Williams agreed to sing a couple of notes at the request of the moderator.)