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In NY Governor’s Debate, Hochul Spars vs


In the second and final debate in the Democratic primaries for governor of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and two of her opponents were entangled in highly volatile issues. , including rising crime, dwindling affordable housing, the environmental catastrophe lurking – and how they get their bread.

But moments of fun were relatively few on Thursday, when New York City public advocate Jumaane D. Williams and Representative Thomas R. Suozzi made their last in-person caress. with Ms. Hochul before the preliminary competition on June 28.

The hour-long controversy was not quite and often completely sour, as Mr. Williams and especially Mr. Suozzi ramped up with accusations that the governor was morally damaged, unqualified and unwilling or unable to protect New Yorkers.

“Governor? Governor? Governor?” Mr. Suozzi, a Long Island hub, echoed impatiently in a memorable return. He is trying to force Miss Hochul to look his way after she criticized him for being lenient in the past. Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill (his opinion since retracted), but the exchange also summed up the entire evening.

Miss Hochul just smiled and looked straight ahead. When she left 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan a short time later, there were indications that the governor had been bruised but little suggest that either adversary had succeeded in fundamentally altering momentum. of a race is now approaching as it enters the final, frenzied tension.

However, the debate, organized by NBC New York, Telemundo 47 and The Times Union of Albany, is often more substantive and confrontational. First Democratic Party debate just over a week ago.

The candidates competed over housing policy and evictions. Mr. Suozzi, who runs a tax-cutting and crime-fighting platform, accused the governor of “irresponsibly” spending federal Covid relief money that has flooded the state, including through grants. direct payments to help cash-strapped New Yorkers earn rent.

Mrs. Hochul scoffed. “I don’t think it’s irresponsible to spend money on people at risk of losing their homes,” she said. “I would do it any day of the week.”

Mr Williams, a progressive who favors a broader range of government protections, used the opportunity to argue for a so-called just cause eviction act that would limit money increases. tenants and more difficult to evict tenants. The governor did not publicly endorse the bill, which was opposed by New York’s powerful real estate industry.

A similar pattern played out as the candidates discussed the rising crime rate in New York City and the heightened sense of fear experienced by New Yorkers since the pandemic began, particularly on the subway.

Hochul defended the administration’s efforts – including regulating New York’s bail laws – that were underway and touted her partnership with Mayor Eric Adams on “giving people a sense of humor.” sense of security” and protect people with mental health problems.

This time, Mr. Suozzi was not convinced.

“We heard the governor’s speech about ‘we’re spending money on this, we’re going to get there,'” he said. “Under this management, they are no more secure.”

Mr. Williams, again, said he would take a more holistic approach than Ms. Hochul or her predecessors, calling for the building of “a continuum of care structure for mental health to make sure everyone has a home to live in.”

There are striking differences that have emerged.

When asked if she would consider cutting New York’s famously high tax rates, Ms. Hochul introduced the decision to pass gas and one-time property tax cuts and pledged, “We don’t raise taxes.” .” Mr. Suozzi said he would cut state income taxes by 10% and reduce property taxes. Mr. Williams vehemently disagreed, accusing his opponents of likening “a Republican line to protect wealthy donors at the expense of those in need”.

The candidates disagreed on whether they would welcome former Governor Andrew’s endorsement. M. Cuomo, who resigned last year against allegations of sexual harassment. Mr. Williams said no, and Ms. Hochul tried to create more distance between herself and her one-time boss.

“Although he has a lot of baggage along with what he’s done, he’s accomplished a lot in New York State,” Mr. Suozzi said in response.

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 failing to do so. enough to launch a congestion pricing scheme for New York City auto users (she later said she supported the plan) and did not fund New York’s landmark climate law.

“Under Williams’ management, you won’t have to ask for that,” he said.

Polls consistently put Ms. Hochul in a comfortable double-digit lead; she is spending more on advertising in the final weeks of the contest than her main competitors have obtained this year; and this week, she won the support of The New York Times Editorial Board and Mayor Adamstwo confirmations that Mr. Suozzi and Mr. Williams desperately wanted.

On Thursday, Mr Suozzi, an ally of Mr Adams who was offered a job in his administration, dismissed the endorsement as a “political fact” because the governor now has “a lot of power”.

“They say if you want a friend in politics, get a dog,” he said.

But the candidates still have a lot of campaigning ahead of them and with turnout expected to be low, political analysts warn that the final run-up could be closer. it appeared, due to Mr. Suozzi’s support base in suburban Long Island and Mr. Williams’ close relationship with Brooklyn voting rich.

Early voting in both parties primaries begin on Saturday.

The Democratic nominee will face the winner of a Republican four-man race between Representative Lee Zeldin; Rob Astorino, former Westchester County executive; businessman Harry Wilson; and Andrew Giuliani, son of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Republicans will participate in a final debate next week.

On Thursday, however, Democrats saw fit to continue beating themselves up.

As the country – and Buffalo – reeled from a series of mass shootings, Mr. Williams and Mr. Suozzi repeatedly attacked Ms. Hochul for accepting the support of the National Rifle Association when she was a candidate. Congress a decade ago. Ms Hochul appeared calm in the face of “assaults” and said her decision to sign a new set of gun safety measures into state law this month was proof she had grown.

“It’s not an attack, governor, it’s a fact: You’ve been endorsed by the NRA,” Mr. Suozzi said. “I know you want to clean it up.”

Miss Hochul was displeased: “Sorry, it’s my turn to answer the question,” she said, and then added, “please don’t interrupt me.”

At the end of the night, after Mr. Suozzi defeated the governor to choose a lieutenant governor was later prosecuted for bribery Hochul attempted to turn the tables and attack Mr. Suozzi to serve a congressional ethics investigation into his stock dealings.

“The word hypocrisy came to my mind,” she said. Mr. Suozzi sees the investigation as nothing more than late filing paperwork.

Mr. Williams also found himself under close scrutiny at a time when Melissa Russo, one of the moderators, pressed him about her own political evolution on two Democratic orthodox issues: abortion and same-sex marriage.

Mr Williams said his views on abortion had not changed, but for now he was trying to “focus on those most affected”.

“There is a difference between saying the wrong thing and always working, like I did, to make sure the LGBT community has the rights they need and to make sure women and pregnant women have the right to have an abortion, while at the same time being active.” against New Yorkers and actively working with the NRA,” he said.

Moderators tried to end the evening with some softer fare, but even at their favorite circle party, Mr Williams, Mr Suozzi and Ms Hochul were frustrated in the fight.

“When I was a kid, my mom always bought me a bagel with lox, cream cheese, onions and capers,” says Mr. Williams of his favorite food.

Mr. Suozzi kept it simple – poppy seed and tuna bagels – especially compared to the governor.

She said: “I love to eat sweets, everyone knows that. “It would be cinnamon raisins with whatever they would put in sweet cream cheese, usually maple syrup.”



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