In the second and final debate in the Democratic Democratic primary for governor of New York, Governor Katie Hochul and her two opponents became embroiled on extremely volatile issues, including rising crime, declining affordable housing, the impending environmental catastrophe – and how they perceive their pretzel.
But the worrying moments were relatively few on Thursday, as New York Public Defender Jumann D. Williams and Thomas R. Suotzi, the representative, made their last direct strikes against Ms. Hochul before the June 28 primary.
The one-hour battle was far from over, and often downright sour, as Mr. Williams, and especially Mr. Suozzi, have been accused of being ethically compromised, unequivocally qualified, and unwilling or unable to protect New Yorkers.
“Governor? Governor? Governor?” Mr. Swatzi, a centrist from Long Island, repeated impatiently during a memorable back-and-forth. He tried to force Ms. Hochul to look at him after she criticized him for once seemingly approving Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill (comments he has since declined), but the exchange also summed it up well all evening. .
Mrs. Hochul just smiled and kept her eyes on him. When she left 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan a little later, there were indications that the governor had been bruised, but little to suggest that any of the opponents had managed to fundamentally change the dynamics of the race, which is now on the verge of outburst as it enters its finale, frantic stretching.
However, the debate, organized by NBC New York, Telemundo 47 and The Times Union of Albany, was often more substantial and confrontational than the first Democrat debate a little over a week ago.
The candidates fought for housing policy and evictions. Mr Suozzi, who is running on a platform to reduce taxes and fight crime, accused the governor of “irresponsibly” spending federal money on Covid, which flooded the state, including through direct payments, to help New Yorkers get rent.
Mrs. Hochul laughed. “I don’t think spending money on people who are at risk of losing their homes is irresponsible,” she said. “I would do it every day of the week.”
Mr Williams, a progressive who supports a wider range of government protections, is taking the opportunity to argue for so-called eviction legislation for a good reason, which will limit rent increases and make it harder to evict tenants. The governor does not openly support the bill, which is opposed by the powerful real estate industry in New York.
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A similar pattern emerged when the candidates discussed rising crime rates in New York and the heightened sense of fear among New Yorkers since the start of the pandemic, especially on the subway.
Ms Hochul defended her administration’s efforts – including changes to bail laws in New York – as it worked, and highlighted her collaboration with Mayor Eric Adams on “giving people a sense of security” and protecting them. who suffer from mental health problems.
This time, Mr. Suotzi was not convinced.
“We hear the governor’s speech that we are spending money on this, we will get to that,” he said. “With this administration, they are no safer.”
Mr Williams reiterated that he would take a more holistic approach than Ms Hochul or her predecessors, calling for a “continuum of mental health care structures to ensure that people have a house in which to stay. “
Significant differences have emerged.
Asked if she would consider reducing the notoriously high taxes in New York, Ms Hochul said she decided to approve a one-off reduction in gas and property taxes and promised: “We are not raising taxes.” Mr Suozzi said he would reduce state income taxes by 10 per cent and reduce property taxes. Mr Williams strongly disagreed, accusing his opponents of parroting “a Republican line aimed at protecting wealthy donors at the expense of people in need”.
Candidates disagreed on whether they would welcome the support of former Governor Andrew. M. Cuomo, who resigned last year on charges of sexual harassment. Mr. Williams said no, and Ms. Hochul tried to put extra distance between herself and her former boss.
“Although he has a lot of luggage along with what he has done, he has achieved a lot in the state of New York,” Mr Suozzi said, saying yes.
When Ms Hochul and Mr Suozzi said they were focused on building greater resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and extreme heat, Mr Williams accused the governor of not doing enough to improve a congestion pricing plan for car users in New York City (she later said she supported the plan) and failed to fund New York’s remarkable climate law.
“You shouldn’t want that with the Williams administration,” he said.
Polls constantly bring Ms. Hochul forward with convenient two-digit numbers; she spends more on commercials in the final weeks of the competition than her main opponents have collectively recruited this year; and this week she won the support of the editorial board of The New York Times and Mayor Adams, two endorsements that Mr Suotzi and Mr Williams strongly desired.
On Thursday, Mr Suotsi, an ally of Mr Adams, who had been offered a job in his administration, rejected the approval as a “political reality” because the governor has “a lot of power at the moment”.
“They say if you want a friend in politics, get a dog,” he said.
But the candidates still have a wave of campaign ahead of them, and with activity expected to be low, political analysts warn that the race may eventually be closer than it looks, given Mr Suotsi’s support base. in the suburbs of Long Island and Mr. Suotzi. Williams’ strong ties to voice-rich Brooklyn.
Early voting in both parties’ primary elections begins on Saturday.
Democratic nominee will face winner of the four-Republican race among MP Lee Zeldin; Rob Astorino, former executive director of Westchester County; businessman Harry Wilson; and Andrew Giuliani, son of former Mayor Rudolf W. Giuliani. Republicans are expected to take part in a final debate next week.
On Thursday, however, Democrats said it was a good idea to continue fighting.
As the nation – and Buffalo – rocked by a wave of mass shootings, Mr Williams and Mr Suotzi repeatedly attacked Ms Hochul for accepting the support of the National Arms Association when she was a candidate for Congress a decade ago. . Ms. Hochul was outraged by the “attacks” and said her decision to sign a package of new weapons security measures in state law this month was proof that she had developed.
“This is not an attack, Governor, this is a fact: You were approved by the NRA,” Mr Suotsi said. “I know you want to take him away.”
Ms Hochul was not happy: “Sorry, it’s my turn to answer the question,” she said, adding: “Please stop interrupting me.”
Towards the end of the night, after Mr Swatzi kicked the governor for electing a lieutenant governor, later charged with bribery, Ms Hochul tried to turn things around and attack Mr Swotzi for ethical an investigation by Congress into his stock trading.
“The word hypocrisy really comes to mind,” she said. Mr Suotsi downplayed the investigation as nothing more than late documentation.
Mr Williams also came to the fore at one point when Melissa Rousseau, one of the moderators, urged him to pursue his own political evolution on two issues of democratic orthodoxy: abortion and gay marriage.
Mr Williams said his stance on abortion had not changed, but was now trying to “center the people most affected”.
“There is a difference between saying something wrong and always working, as I did, to make sure that the LGBT community has the rights it needs and to make sure that women and pregnant women have the right to abortion. and to actively work against the people of New York and to work actively with the NRA, “he said.
The moderators tried to end the evening with a lighter meal, but even on their favorite round nose, Mr. Williams, Mr. Suotzi and Ms. Hochul were left hopelessly at odds.
“My mother, when I was younger, always brought me a bagel with locks, cream cheese, onions and capers,” said Mr Williams of his preferred order.
Mr. Suotzi kept it simple – poppy seeds and tuna – especially compared to the governor.
“I have jam, everyone knows that,” she said. “It will be cinnamon raisins with whatever sweet cream cheese they put on it, usually maple syrup.”
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