Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Lee Zeldin on Thursday shot down as “unacceptable” Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bid to have just one debate earlier than the election, saying her response was woefully insufficient for New York state voters to listen to their positions on necessary points.
“I'm rejecting that provide and I'm suggesting that the governor wants to come back again with a proposal to do a number of debates throughout the complete state,” Zeldin mentioned throughout a press briefing.
“One debate is unacceptable. I’m calling on Kathy Hochul to come back out of hiding.”
After going through “Scaredy Kat” criticism for weeks, Hochul on Wednesday lastly agreed to face Zeldin on Oct. 25, at a debate co-sponsored by Tempo College and cable TV’s Spectrum Information NY1 — simply 4 days earlier than the beginning of early voting on Oct. 29.
Zeldin has beforehand accepted provides by CBS-2 and PIX-11 to debate Hochul on TV.
However Hochul’s marketing campaign has not accepted these provides and mentioned Thursday the governor was standing agency on a single, one-hour debate on NY1.
Hochul has been forward of Zeldin within the polls since changing disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo following his August 2021 resignation amid a litany of scandals together with alleged sexual misconduct, which he has denied.
“Governor Hochul appears to be like ahead to debating on Oct. 25 and highlighting the clear distinction between her robust file of delivering outcomes and Lee Zeldin’s excessive agenda,” her marketing campaign spokesman Jerrel Harvey mentioned.
Different closely favored Democratic incumbents are taking the identical tack as Hochul by agreeing to just one debate, if any in any respect.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer has tentatively agreed to 1 televised debate with GOP opponent Joe Pinion on October 30 — 8 days earlier than Election Day — co-hosted by Spectrum Information/NY1 — sources mentioned. Schumer, first elected to the Senate in 1998, is working for a fifth time period.
“The controversy has been scheduled. We’re engaged on the main points,” mentioned Schumer spokesman Angelo Roefaro.
Pinion, who confirmed the tentative face-off on Oct. 30, mentioned, “One debate, eight days earlier than the election, is a slap within the face to the voters.”
A supply near NY1 mentioned “nothing has been confirmed” concerning the senatorial debate.
In the meantime, Republican candidate for state lawyer basic Michael Henry slammed Democrat incumbent AG Letitia James for refusing to conform to a debate. James, who's searching for a second time period, made large waves Wednesday by submitting a $250 million lawsuit in opposition to former President Donald Trump, his youngsters Eric, Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Group — alleging “staggering” fraud within the household actual property enterprise.
Henry spokeswoman Candice Giove mentioned James’ marketing campaign has not responded to queries about showing collectively on the talk stage. “We’ve gotten no reply,” she mentioned.
The James marketing campaign had no fast remark.
Elsewhere, Republican candidate for state comptroller, Paul Rodriguez, is in talks with Democrat incumbent Tom DiNapoli to debate no less than as soon as, based on Rodriguez’s spokesman, John Burnett.
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