US Midterms: Zeldin to Debate Hochul for NY Governor's Race

Image copyright: The New York Times

The Facts

  • On Sunday, Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin agreed to a debate with incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The two will face off on Tuesday.

  • Zeldin has called Hochul a "coward" for refusing to "accept a series of debates on broadcast and across various media markets in New York," adding that she only accepted this one because it's "a month after absentee ballots started going out."


The Spin

Republican narrative

Notably, Kathy Hochul wasn't elected to office, and that shows in her political behavior. She has promoted legislation that jeopardizes the safety of New Yorkers daily. Hochul has refused to debate those policies because she knows Zeldin has the high ground, and the polls are reflecting that reality.

Democratic narrative

Just because Lee Zeldin has clamored for multiple debates on his terms doesn't make his requests reasonable. Kathy Hochul has been busy fighting the pandemic, restricting access to illegal guns, and strengthening social policies for working families. She will defend herself during Tuesday's debate, but her record and busy schedule speak for themselves.


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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