Hochul faces Williams, Suozzi in Democratic primary debate for New York governor
It’s debate time for the Dems!
Gov. Hochul will take part in her first Democratic primary debate Tuesday night as she seeks to fend off main rivals: city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) to win a first full term in the governor’s mansion.
The governor, who took office when scandal-plagued Gov. Andrew Cuomo stepped down last year, holds a wide lead over the other contenders ahead of the June 28 primary.
The clash at 7 p.m. (EDT) on WCBS-TV and Newsradio 880, is the first time the three have shared the stage.
Williams and Suozzi clash in governor's debate as Hochul is no-show
Williams and Suozzi took part in a debate last week that Hochul skipped, claiming she was busy handling the end of the legislative session.
From left: Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
Hochul was lieutenant governor under Cuomo and held off an unexpectedly strong challenge from the progressive firebrand Williams in 2018. The pair debated during that race but she has never faced off against Suozzi.
A moderate, Hochul has stressed her liberal credentials as the primary vote looms. Suozzi, who is giving up his suburban Long Island seat to run for governor, has staked out a claim as a centrist, while Williams is attacking both rivals from the progressive flank.
Hochul is seeking to become the first woman elected to New York’s highest office, while Williams would be the second Black governor after David Paterson.
“Hochul looks forward to ... highlighting the progress she’s made on behalf of New Yorkers to strengthen gun safety laws, protect abortion rights, and lower costs for working families,” campaign spokesperson Jen Goodman said.
Williams and Suozzi will likely seek to tar her for her long and cozy relationship with Cuomo. They will surely renew fierce criticism of her support for spending $850 million in taxpayer money for a new football stadium for her hometown Buffalo Bills.
She also once received a good rating from the National Rifle Association as a member of Congress from a western New York district, a nod that will win her few friends in deep-blue New York.
The trio is scheduled to meet in another debate on June 16.
Williams and Suozzi say she is trying to limit her exposure to voters ahead of the primary because she is much better known than them.
