ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that he will participate in two debates ahead of the November election — one in New York City with his GOP opponent and another in Buffalo that would include two third-party candidates, too.
Cuomo’s campaign said the two debates would be held in mid-October. The New York City debate with Republican Rob Astorino would be sponsored by WNYC New York Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal. The Buffalo debate would include Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott and would be sponsored by The Buffalo News and WNED-WBFO.
“Gov. Cuomo is looking forward to a robust discussion of ideas at both debates and we want to thank the sponsors for making these events possible,” said Cuomo campaign spokesman Matt Wing.
Cuomo, a Democrat, refused to debate primary opponent Zephyr Teachout, whom he defeated this month 62 percent to 34 percent.
Astorino, the Westchester County executive, has proposed as many as eight debates while Hawkins had urged both major party candidates to include him.
Astorino’s campaign said Saturday that voters deserve to see at least one televised debate featuring only Cuomo and Astorino and that Cuomo’s choice of a radio debate in New York City shows he’s afraid to engage Astorino in a one-on-one television debate. His campaign spokeswoman, Jessica Proud, said the campaigns haven’t had a discussion about a final debate schedule.
“This is more games from Andrew Cuomo,” Proud said. “Despite their claims, there have been no negotiations between the campaigns.”
Hawkins, who placed third in the 2010 race, said Cuomo’s suggested debate lineup shows he wants to exclude the Green Party from the New York City debate because he may be vulnerable there to a challenge from the left. He said Cuomo is including the third parties in the Buffalo debate to diminish Astorino’s chances in more conservative western New York.
“I don’t think it’s right,” Hawkins told The Associated Press. “By any reasonable standard I should be included (in all the debates). The people have a right to hear from all of us. This should be about more than tactics.”
