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After Pushback From Candidates, Second Mayoral Debate Will Be In-Person After All
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published May 25, 2021
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By
Elizabeth Kim
Published May 25, 2021
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The second Democratic debate for mayor on June 2nd will be held in person following a letter of protest from six of the leading candidates who argued a Zoom format didn't make sense in light of the city's full reopening.
WABC-TV, which is hosting the two-hour debate, reported the news late Monday.
"After receiving the final list of candidates this weekend and much due diligence reviewing the safety protocols, our team is now confident that we can host the mayoral debate with the candidates in person," read a statement from the station and its parent company Disney.
The debate will feature the eight leading candidates: Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire, Dianne Morales, Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, Andrew Yang.
Prior to the update, the city's Campaign Finance Board said the decision was made in accordance with WABC-TV and its safety protocols. But as of last Wednesday, most businesses in New York City were allowed to fully reopen. Vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks indoors or outdoors with some exceptions, including within public transit and schools.
In a letter to the Campaign Finance Board, several leading candidates wrote that "county fairs and music festivals are now deemed safe enough to host. Certainly, the same should be said of our Democracy."
Since the race began last fall, the candidates have taken part in countless Zoom debates which have been prone to technical mishaps and candidates speaking over one another.
The first official debate, hosted by NY1, Gothamist/WNYC, and The CITY, was held on Zoom two weeks ago.
But with the city's increasing return to normalcy, a Zoom debate next week would have seemed incongruous with New Yorkers' reality.
Wiley was among the candidates most vocally opposed to another virtual debate, and called the change in format the "right decision."
Chris Coffey, the co-campaign manager for Yang, also applauded the decision, as did representatives for Stringer and Garcia.
Amy Loprest, the executive director of the city's Campaign Finance Board, issued a statement, saying, “The Board is thrilled.. We appreciate all of the work that will go into making this debate compelling for the voters and safe for the candidates, moderators, and WABC personnel.”
HOW TO WATCH
The debate will be broadcast between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will be available for free streaming on ABC7NY's digital platform.
Television viewers can also opt to watch the entire debate on NYC Life (25.1). Fios subscribers can watch on Channel 25; Altice subscribers: Channel 22; Comcast subscribers: Channel 1025; Spectrum subscribers: Channel 74; and RCN subscribers 81.
WABC Channel 7 will broadcast the first hour.
Tagged
mayoral debate
election 2021
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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