NY State of Politics: October 3, 2018

It is likely any general election debate for governor will include additional candidates on the ballot running for governor: Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, Libertarian Larry Sharpe and Stephanie Miner, a Democrat running on the Serve American Movement ballot line.

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by Nick Reisman

Republicans Marc Molinaro and Keith Wofford in statements on Wednesday called on their Democratic opponents to join them in multiple debates held across the state.

In a statement, Molinaro said he wants at least three one-on-one debates with Cuomo, who is seeking a third term this year.

“I am proud to talk about my record and vision for New York, but it’s clear that Andrew Cuomo can’t say the same,” Molinaro said. “Why else would he turn down opportunities to share his record with voters? I see debates as a public obligation for those privileged enough to serve in public office. Mr. Cuomo, evidently, sees debates as forums at which he’ll be forced to address corrupt practices and economic failures that have become the hallmarks of his tenure in Albany.”

Cuomo last week after speaking to the Business Council didn’t commit to a debate with Molinaro.

“I haven’t had any conversations with them and we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

It is likely any general election debate for governor will include additional candidates on the ballot running for governor: Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, Libertarian Larry Sharpe and Stephanie Miner, a Democrat running on the Serve American Movement ballot line.

In the race for attorney general, Wofford called for five debates with Democratic candidate Letitia James, the New York City public advocate.

“New Yorkers across the state deserve to hear where each candidate stands on the issues,” said Wofford’s Campaign Manager O’Brien Murray. “Regional debates facilitate discussions that educate voters both upstate and downstate. As we saw during the primary, too many debates are New York City-centric, which causes upstate residents to feel ignored. How better to broaden the discussion than to have debates in every corner of New York?”