Hochul and Zeldin still debating about the debate

Plus: If NYC's economy is growing, why is the mayor bracing for a crisis? [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] [Ad: Get tickets for the New Jersey Symphony's Jaws in concert October 28th through 30th]( Sponsored Message Will New Yorkers get to see the top two gubernatorial candidates debate each other? [By Jon Campbell]( [NY1 anchors on the desk for a gubernatorial primary debate] Brittainy Newman/Newsday via AP As of now, [there is no debate scheduled before Election Day]( between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican opponent, Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin. There has been, however, plenty of debate about the debate — or perhaps debates, as Zeldin would prefer. In what has become a New York tradition, the lesser-known gubernatorial challenger has spent months asking the incumbent for a series of debates, which could provide a crucial platform to introduce themselves to voters. But Hochul has resisted those calls, just as her recent predecessors have done. (Andrew Cuomo only agreed to one debate in each of his three elections, but also famously demanded in 2010 and 2014 that candidates from minor parties had to be involved, which led to chaotic events that limited his Republican opponents' screen time. You [might remember Jimmy McMillan]( the Rent Is Too Damn High guy.) This year, Hochul has agreed to participate in just a single debate on October 25th, hosted by Spectrum News NY1. It’s an event Zeldin has not yet agreed to participate in, his argument being that Spectrum stations aren't available to non-cable subscribers in New York. Zeldin has agreed to two other debates hosted by other television stations that Hochul has so far declined. "The NYC media market is not the only media market in the state," Zeldin said last week. "It's important to have debates throughout the state to focus on issues specific to that particular region." This morning, Hochul reiterated that she’s looking forward to the October 25th debate, further cementing it will be the lone debate she agrees to. "I think if you look at history, let's say the last 40 years, there's always been one debate for the general election," she said. "I already participated in two [primary] debates this year. So, you know, we're looking forward to showing up." [Read more here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- [Ad: Get tickets for the New Jersey Symphony's Jaws in concert October 28th through 30th]( Sponsored Message --------------------------------------------------------------- More political headlines this week: [the NYC redistricting commission around a giant lectern] [NYC Districting Commission rejects its own City Council map proposal]( The 15-person commission tasked with redrawing the City Council district lines voted 8-7 against its own latest proposal. The group is ordered by the City Charter to have its work done by December 7th. [a close-up of Mayor Eric Adams] [NYC's economy is growing. Why is Adams bracing for a fiscal crisis?]( The mayor is insisting on budget cuts and hiring freezes, but it's possible that inflation and the stock market downturn won't be as bad as some predict. [former NJ Gov. Jim Florio] [Former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio dies at 85]( Florio, a Brooklyn-born Democrat who also served in Congress, is perhaps best known for losing his gubernatorial re-election bid after he raised taxes in the state. [Phil Murphy and Chris Christie pose for a picture at an event at Camden's hospital] [Ask Governor Murphy: Getting chummy with Chris Christie, NJ's teacher shortage and more]( Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. on WNYC or WNYC.org, where host Nancy Solomon will ask the governor about his recent event with former Gov. Chris Christie — and take your calls. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- [Ad: Get tickets for the New Jersey Symphony's Jaws in concert October 28th through 30th]( Sponsored Message [the logo for The People's Guide to Power] [The power of parents in NY and NJ]( WNYC/Gothamist senior political reporter Brigid Bergin hosts a conversation about how parents' politics are shaped around their kids' futures. [LISTEN]( Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential political coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [WNYC]( [WQXR]( [NJPR]( [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 All rights reserved. [Terms of Use.]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( from this list