Kathy Hochuls. Photo–Flickr.
Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul has refused to accept a prime time debate on NY1, which was offered to both campaigns to take place at 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 21.
Instead, Hochul asked me to participate in a debate on Manhattan Neighborhood Network at 10am on Wednesday, August 29. Apparently Andrew Cuomo isn’t the only politician not willing to answer questions from NY1. I am happy debate the current Lieutenant Governor on MNN– whose local Manhattan coverage is excellent– but their viewership is confined to just one of the 62 counties of New York State.
This is a statewide race with a statewide electorate, and her refusal to accept a debate that could be broadcast throughout New York demonstrates a sheer lack of transparency and an unwillingness to speak openly about her own record.
As pledged, I will be announcing the release of my tax returns shortly– almost two months before the current Lieutenant Governor did during her election in 2014 and then only after the primary. I only hope that when this disingenuous talking point is revealed for the phony attack that it is, the Lieutenant Governor and I can then discuss it and a variety of other issues in prime time for all New Yorkers to see.
The voters of New York State deserve to know that they have a choice in this election between the evasive establishment and a progressive champion.
I look forward to both the MNN and NY1 debates. I hope the Lieutenant Governor of nearly four years will see fit to respect transparency and our state’s voters by being present as well
