Debate Sponsors Selected for NYC Election Cycle

Amy Loprest, executive director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, announces the Debates Program schedule and sponsors for the 2013 elections at City Hall in Manhattan on June 13, 2013. (photo courtesy Campaign Finance Board)

NEW YORK—After scores of optional debates leading up to the 2013 elections, the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) announced top sponsorship spots for those that are officially required. 

Fifteen local news and advocacy organizations were awarded the top sponsorship spots by the CFB on June 13. The sponsors will host 15 debates for Republican and Democratic parties in the race for mayor, public advocate, and comptroller. 

The debates will begin August 12 and run through October 29. The full schedule can be found here. 

The sponsors are CBS 2 News, WCBS Newsradio 880, 1010 WINS, El Diario/La Prensa, Common Cause/NY, NBC 4 New York, Telemundo Nueva York, The Wall Street Journal, NY1 News, NY1 Noticias, WNYC, Citizens Committee for New York City, Citizens Union, Gothamist, Hispanic Federation, and Transportation Alternatives.

Each debate will be broadcast on television, radio, and online by the hosting organizations.

“We are very excited to be working with such a strong group of media and civic partners to bring the City’s official Debate Program to the public this year,” said Amy Loprest, executive director of the CFB in a statement. “The stakes for this election could not be higher and these debates will give all New York City voters an opportunity to take the measure of the candidates for citywide offices as they discuss the issues.”

Candidates participating in the campaign finance program, which matches $6 for every $1 raised on the campaign trail but limits the money raised, will be required to participate. John Catsimatidis and George McDonald, both running on the Republican ticket in the mayor’s race, will not be required to participate as they are not in the campaign finance program.

The rules stipulate a debate will be canceled if only one candidate meets the criteria, meaning the August 28 and September 8 Republican primary debate may be canceled if only Joseph Lhota participates. 

The Democratic primary debate for comptroller, hosted on August 12, may also be canceled because current Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is the only Democratic candidate. 

Julia Willebrand is running on the Green party, and could face Stringer in the general election debates on October 8 and 24, but she is currently not certified in the campaign finance system and may not be required to participate.