In the second and final debate in the Democratic primary race for New York Governor, Gov. Kathy Hochul and her two opponents became embroiled in highly volatile issues, such as rising crime, declining affordable housing. , the approaching environmental catastrophe and how they are taking their bagel.
But the joyous moments were relatively few on Thursday, as New York City Attorney Jumaane D. Williams and Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi made their final direct blows to Ms. Hochul before the contest. June 28th primaries.
The one-hour fight was far from beautiful and often bitter, as Mr. Williams and especially Mr. Suozzi made accusations that the governor was ethically compromised, underqualified, and unwilling or unable to protect New Yorkers.
“Governor? Governor? Governor? ”Mr Suozzi, a Long Island centrist, repeated impatiently during a memorable round trip, trying to force Mrs. Hochul to look his way after she criticized him for passing the Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill (comments retracted since then), but the exchange also summed up the whole evening.
Mrs. Hochul just smiled and kept her gaze straight. When he left 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan shortly afterwards, there were indications that the governor had suffered bruises, but few indicated that any of his opponents had managed to fundamentally change the dynamics of a race that was now about to explode when it was coming to an end. frantic stretching.
Still, the debate, hosted by NBC New York, Telemundo 47 and The Times Union of Albany, was often more substantive and contentious than the Democrats’ first debate just over a week ago.
Candidates fought for housing policy and evictions. Mr. Suozzi, who works with a tax-cutting and anti-crime platform, accused the governor of “irresponsibly” spending Covid’s federal relief money that has flooded the state, even through direct payments to help New Yorkers with cash problems paying rent.
Mrs. Hochul scoffed. “I don’t think spending money on people at risk of losing their home is irresponsible,” he said. “I would do it any day of the week.”
Mr Williams, a progressive who favors a more expansive set of government protections, took the opportunity to defend so-called good-cause eviction legislation that would limit rent increases and hinder the eviction of tenants. The governor does not openly support the bill, which is opposed by the powerful New York real estate industry.
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A similar pattern occurred when candidates discussed the high crime rates in New York City and a greater sense of fear among New Yorkers since the pandemic began, especially on the subway.
Ms. Hochul defended her administration’s efforts, including tweaking New York’s bail laws, as work in progress, and promoted her collaboration with Mayor Eric Adams to “give people this feeling safe “and protecting those with mental health problems.
This time, Mr. Suozzi was not convinced.
“We hear the governor’s speech on‘ we’re spending money on this, we’ll get to that, ’” he said. “Under this administration, they are no longer secure.”
Mr. Williams, again, said he would take a more holistic approach than Ms. Hochul or her predecessors, and called for building “a continuum of mental health care structure to ensure that people have a house to stay in. “
There were notable differences that arose.
When asked if she would consider reducing New York’s famous high taxes, Ms. Hochul promoted his decision to approve a one-time reduction in gas and property tax and pledged, “We will not raise taxes.” Mr. Suozzi said he would reduce state income taxes by 10 percent and reduce property taxes. Mr Williams strongly disagreed, accusing his opponents of repeating “a Republican line that seeks to protect wealthy donors at the expense of those in need of assistance”.
Candidates disagreed on whether they would appreciate the support of former Governor Andrew. M. Cuomo, who resigned last year over allegations of sexual harassment. Mr. Williams said no, and Mrs. Hochul did her best to put an extra distance between her and her boss.
“Even though he has a lot of luggage along with what he’s done, he’s achieved a lot in New York State,” Mr. Suozzi as he answered 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. Williams accused the governor of not doing enough to advance a congestion pricing plan for car users in New. York City (later said it supported the plan) and did not fund New York’s historic climate law.
“Under Williams administration, you shouldn’t ask for that,” he said.
Polls consistently put Ms. Hochul ahead with comfortable double digits; is spending more on ads during the final weeks of the contest than its main opponents have collectively raised this year; and this week, he won the support of The New York Times editorial board and Mayor Adams, two endorsements that Mr. Suozzi and Mr. Williams had longed for it.
On Thursday, Mr. Suozzi, an ally of Mr. Adams, who was offered a job in his administration, dismissed the endorsement as a “political reality” because the governor has “a lot of power right now.”
“They say if you want a friend in politics, buy a dog,” he said.
But candidates still have a barrage of campaigns ahead, and with turnout expected to be low, political analysts warn that, ultimately, the contest could be closer than it looks, given the base of support. of Mr. Suozzi in the suburbs of Long Island and Mr. Williams’ strong ties to Brooklyn, rich in votes.
Early voting in the two-party primaries begins Saturday.
The Democratic nominee will face the winner of a four-person Republican race among Rep. Lee Zeldin; Rob Astorino, former Westchester County executive; businessman Harry Wilson; and Andrew Giuliani, son of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Republicans will take part in a final debate next week.
On Thursday, however, Democrats considered it appropriate to continue to strike.
With the nation – and Buffalo – staggering through a series of mass shootings, Mr. Williams and Mr. Suozzi repeatedly attacked Ms. Hochul for accepting support from the National Rifle Association when she was running for Congress a decade ago. Ms Hochul was outraged by the “attacks” and said her decision to sign a new set of arms security measures into state law this month was proof that it had evolved.
“It’s not an attack, Governor, that’s the fact: you were endorsed by the NRA,” Mr. Suozzi. “I know you want to get rid of it.”
Mrs. Hochul was unhappy, “I’m sorry, it’s my turn to answer the question,” she said, and then added, “Please stop interrupting me.”
Towards the end of the night, after Mr. Suozzi beat the governor for choosing a lieutenant governor later charged with bribery charges, Ms. Hochul tried to turn Mr. Suozzi for an ethical investigation by Congress into its stock trading.
“The word hypocrisy comes to mind,” he said. Mr. Suozzi downplayed the investigation as nothing more than documentation submitted late.
Mr. Williams was also scrutinized at a time when Melissa Russo, one of the moderators, was pressuring her about her own political evolution on two issues of democratic orthodoxy: abortion and gay marriage.
Williams said his position on abortion had not changed, but that he was now trying to “focus on those most affected.”
“There is a difference between saying something wrong and always working, as I did, to make sure the LGBT community has the rights it needs and to make sure that pregnant women and women have the right to abortion and work actively. against New Yorkers and actively working with the NRA. “He said.
The moderators tried to end the evening with some lighter food, but even in his favorite circular nosh, Mr. Williams, Mr. Suozzi and Mrs. Hochul was hopelessly at odds.
“My mom always gave me a bagel with lox, cream cheese, onions and capers when I was little,” Mr. Williams on his favorite order.
Mr. Suozzi kept it simple: poppy seed and tuna bagel, especially compared to the governor.
“I have a sweetie, everyone knows that,” he said. “It will be a cinnamon raisin with the sweet cheese they will put in it, usually maple syrup.”