Zel: Stop hiding, scaredy Kat!

gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin on Thursday shot down as “unacceptable” Gov. Hochul’s bid to participate in only one debate before the election, saying her response was woefully inadequate for voters to hear their positions on important issues.

“I am rejecting that offer and I am suggesting that the governor needs to come back with an offer to do multiple debates across the entire state,” Zeldin said at a press briefing.

“One debate is unacceptable. I’m calling on Kathy Hochul to come out of hiding.”

After facing “Scaredy Kat” criticism for weeks, Hochul on Wednesday finally offered to face Zeldin on Oct. 25 at a debate cosponsored by Pace University and cable TV’s Spectrum News/ NY1 — just four days before the start of early voting on Oct. 29.

Zeldin has previously accepted offers by CBS-2 and PIX-11 to debate Hochul on TV.

But Hochul’s campaign has not accepted and said Thursday the governor was standing firm on a single, one-hour debate.

Hochul has been ahead of Zeldin in the polls since replacing disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo following his August 2021 resignation amid a litany of scandals — including alleged sexual misconduct, which he has denied.

“Governor Hochul looks forward to debating on Oct. 25 and highlighting the clear contrast between her strong record of delivering results and Lee Zeldin’s extreme agenda,” said her campaign spokesman, Jerrel Harvey.

Other heavily favored Democratic incumbents are taking the same tack as Hochul by agreeing to only one debate, if any at all.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has tentatively agreed to one televised debate with GOP opponent Joe Pinion on Oct. 30, eight days before Election Day, co-hosted by Spectrum News/NY1 — sources said.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate for state attorney general Michael Henry slammed Democrat incumbent AG Letitia James for refusing to agree to a debate.