WGXC-90.7 FM

Hochul shows up to second gubernatorial debate

Jun 08, 2022 1:56 pm

Rebecca C. Lewis reports in City and State that after ducking Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams at the first debate last week, incumbent Kathy Hochul turned up June 7 and took fire from her challengers. Hochul currently has several scandals: the $850 million deal to build a new Buffalo Bills stadium with a off-the-record meeting with NFL officials, her Lt. Gov. resigning after being indicted on corruption charges, and a last-minute $10 billion tax break pushed by Hochul and quietly passed by the legislature last week. Hochul’s past “A” rating from the National Rifle Association was also brought up by Suozzi, who bragged about his "F" rating. Williams also hit Hochul on the NRA rating. “Ten years ago, I wrote my first report on how to deal with gun violence while the governor touted her ‘A ’rating from the NRA,” Williams said. Hochul criticized Suozzi’s past support for the Hyde Amendment, which limits the use of federal dollars for abortion care. Democratic consultant Camille Rivera, who works on progressive issues, scored the debate for both Hochul and Williams. “(If) Kathy Hochul’s goal was to keep the status quo, she did well,” Rivera said. “If Jumaane’s goal was to define himself on issues, he did well.” Read more about this story in City and State.