The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Williams, Suozzi call for statewide gubernatorial debates
NEW YORK » Democratic candidates for Governor Rep. Tom Suozzi and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sent a joint letter to broadcast television stations across the state yesterday encouraging them to hold televised debates ahead of the June 28 Democratic primary.
Both candidates challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul to participate in the debates with them.
“Our state is at a crossroads with an important primary election coming up in just nine weeks,” said Suozzi and Williams in the letter. “These are unprecedented times for New Yorkers and voters need and deserve the opportunity to hear directly from all candidates in a transparent manner.”
Currently, Suozzi and Williams have confirmed their participation in two scheduled debates, including the recently announced June 16 debate hosted by NBC 4 New YORK/WNBC and Telemundo and the Albany Times Union. Hochul’s campaign has said she is “weighing whether to participate in the debate.”
There have been numerous virtual candidate forums that have been held by Democratic clubs, civic clubs, and advocacy groups, since January. Suozzi and Williams have participated in nearly all, while Hochul has not participated in any of them, sending her former Lieutenant Governor instead.
“Democracy is about a competition of ideas,” stated Suozzi and Williams in their letter. “With no shortage of challenges facing New York, we believe that news organizations play an integral role in facilitating a rigorous discussion of the issues that voters expect of those entrusted to serve the public.”
Both candidates have pledged that they will debate anywhere at any time and believe it is incumbent upon good government groups and the media to not allow Hochul to duck debates when there is so much at stake in these elections. Suozzi and Williams both say they would like a minimum of six debates across the state as early as the beginning of May.