Gov. Hochul agrees to 2 debates before Democratic primary

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday agreed to two debates against her Democratic rivals ahead of the party’s June 28 primary.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, a state judge dismissed a bid to force the redrawing of state Assembly districts ahead of this year’s elections, meaning Assembly maps approved previously by the Legislature will stay in place.

Hochul has been enjoying a big lead over Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in the polls but has faced pressure to agree to a debate.

On Wednesday, the Hochul campaigned announced the governor will participate in two forums: June 7, hosted by CBS; and June 16, by NBC.

“I’m eager to participate in these debates to highlight our strong track record of getting things done for New Yorkers,” Hochul said in a statement.

More debate details are expected to be announced later. Hochul’s rivals clearly have been awaiting the opportunity.

Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said Hochul does not want to field “hard-hitting questions” about crime and the state budget.

“Let’s debate who has better experience. Who has a better vision? She can hold me accountable and I will hold her accountable,” Suozzi said in a statement.

Williams said: “After previously committing to ‘multiple debates,’ Governor Hochul has only agreed to the bare minimum — at the latest possible moment in the campaign — because she knows that her administration cannot stand up to the scrutiny.”

Also on Wednesday, State Supreme Court Judge Patrick McAllister refused to throw out new maps for state Assembly districts, saying litigants had waited too long to join a lawsuit that resulted in the redrawing of State Senate and congressional maps.

The Democratic-led State Legislature approved new election maps in January. McAllister noted the lawsuit alleging gerrymandering of Senate and congressional lines was filed in February and didn’t include the Assembly. Though courts eventually ruled the Legislature violated the constitutional process for drawing all the legislative and congressional districts, adding the Assembly now, would be to create “total confusion” when the state is facing a tight schedule for conducting state primaries, McAllister said. Therefore, the Assembly maps adopted earlier this year will stand.

New York will have split primaries this year. Contests for statewide offices, such as governor, and Assembly will be June 28; Senate and Congress, Aug. 23. A neutral “special master,” appointed by McAllister is set to propose new maps for Congress and Senate districts on Monday.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy