Democratic candidates for Governor Congressman Tom Suozzi and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sent a joint letter to broadcast television stations across the state encouraging them to hold televised debates ahead of the June 28th Democratic primary. Both candidates challenge Governor 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 16th debate hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, 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.
The Suozzi and Williams letter is below and can be downloaded here.
Our state is at a crossroads with an important primary election coming up in just nine weeks. These are unprecedented times for New Yorkers and voters need and deserve the opportunity to hear directly from all candidates in a transparent manner.
As two candidates who are running for governor, we are writing to request a series of public debates across New York State ahead of the Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 28.
To ensure that these debates occur, we encourage, and would gladly accept, an invitation from your news station to host an in-person televised debate in the coming weeks. Of course, we believe that every candidate who is running for governor and has secured their position on the ballot be afforded the opportunity to participate so that voters are informed before making their voices heard at the ballot box.
Democracy is about a competition of ideas. 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.
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you further to discuss preparations in advance so that all candidates can coordinate their schedules accordingly.
Sincerely,
Tom Suozzi
Congressman (NY-3)
Democratic candidate for Governor
Jumaane Williams
New York City Public Advocate
Democratic candidate for Governor
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