Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Eliot Spitzer has agreed to face off with his long-shot primary rival Tom Suozzi in a debate this summer, officials said yesterday.
The pair will clash July 25 at Pace University in a forum hosted by cable news station NY1.
Suozzi, the Nassau County executive who has been polling in the low teens, has challenged Spitzer to a series of debates in a bid to gain some political traction. Spitzer’s decision to hold only one debate was viewed by some political observers as a token effort.
NY1 officials said they also have gotten candidates in the other statewide races to agree to showdowns.
That includes two debates in August – the five Democratic state attorney general candidates and the two Republicans vying to battle Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
There also will be one next month between John Faso and William Weld, the two Republicans running for governor.