What was billed as a political debate for the 33rd State Senate Seat by Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank wound up an interview of incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera as you see the empty chair to the right of Senator Rivera. Councilman Fernando Cabrera who was declared on the ballot by the Board of Elections on July 30th was a no show.
Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank is telling the T.V. audience that 33rd State Senate candidate Fernando Cabrera was invited to debate incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera, but that Cabrera has declined. Axelbank went on to say that when candidates decline or refuse to debate they are disrespecting the voters who do not get to know their positions on issues. The show went on with an empty chair for candidate Cabrera.
As the show went on Axelbank asked about the challenge to candidate Fernando Cabrera's petition by Senator Rivera. The response by Senator Rivera was that his people had found that 5 people who had died had signed the Cabrera petition. Rivera added that 5 other people testified that they had never signed the Cabrera petition even though their names and signatures were on the Cabrera petition. Senator Rivera said that there were many other problems with his opponents petition, and that by Thursday Judge John Carter would have a final decision on the matter.
Senator Rivera answered some questions from Gary Axelbank on the Kinsbridge Armory, businesses by the armory, how the state senate might look with full Democratic control, and how he (Senator Rivera) would be the chair of the Senate Health Committee, of which he is the ranking member, Senator Rivera touched on other topics such as education, ethics, housing, and immigration. When Axelbank mentioned the district as a whole Rivera came back with the high unemployment with low medium income of the district, plus the fact that Senate Republicans set up the districts in the recent redistricting and that he is limited in what he can do. When it came to questions about the Independent Democratic Conference and State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Rivera sidestepped those questions answering one that there are Democrats that he does not totally agree with, and the other on how wonderful it would be to have a unified Democratic majority. To a question if he is still supporting IDC leader Senator Jeff Klein's opponent after the Senate Democratic Conference withdrew it support of Klein's opponent, Rivera said "I am a friend of Oliver Koppell who helped me in my first election, and I still support him even now."
Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank said that next Monday night will be the 78th A.D. debate between incumbent Assemblyman Jose Rivera and challenger Fernando Tirado. In two weeks will be the 34th State Senate debate between incumbent State Senator Jeff klein and challenger Oliver Koppell.
After the show Axelbank said that Assemblyman Jose Rivera has not showed up to one of his debates, and he doubts if Jose will show up next week.
