Leading Republicans in New York governor's race debate on CBS2
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NEW YORK -- It was a gloves-off, no-holds-barred confrontation as the four candidates for the Republican nomination for governor of New York squared off on the CBS2 debate stage on Monday night.
It had everything -- name calling, emotional revelations, and calls to fight crime by returning to the reviled policy of stop, question and frisk. And even though one of the candidates, Andrew Giuliani, appeared from a remote studio due to vaccination status, there were calls to stick a dagger in the heart of congestion pricing.
And as moderators CBS2's Marcia Kramer and Maurice Dubois can attest, there was plenty of bickering.
"In January of this year, he asked me to be on his ticket. Now, why is he dishonestly attacking me now? Because his campaign is disintegrating," businessman Harry Wilson said.
"I never asked and I wouldn't ask 'never Trumper' Harry Wilson," Rep. Lee Zeldin said.
"Don't lie," Wilson shot back.
"That is a zero percent chance, but I wouldn't want you to serve," Zeldin responded.
"You asked. Stop lying," Wilson persisted.
Yes, there was plenty of bickering among the four men vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination -- and a whole lot of name calling.
Wilson returned fire after Zeldin called him a "never Trumper."
"He will do anything and say anything to distract from his terrible record as a Cuomo clone," Wilson said.
"Yes, he sided with Andrew Cuomo. He was a reliable vote for Andrew Cuomo," former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said.
"Constant lies from 'never Trumper' Wilson and 'Rolex Rob,'" Zeldin said.
But the candidates also addressed a number of important issues, from abortion to crime to the need to prevent congestion pricing from ever raising its head in Manhattan's Central Business District.
"This year is going to be the revenge of the normal people and I'll tell you why: because congestion pricing is another back breaker on the average New Yorker. All this does is it crushes the outer boroughs. It crushes the middle class," Astorino said.
Giuliani said that as governor he would try to rehire all of the city employees who lost their jobs because they refused to get vaccinated, even though the governor of New York has no power to force the mayor of New York to rehire city New Yorkers. He said he would put them on the state payroll if he got resistance from the mayor.
A number of the candidates called for a return to the "broken windows" and stop, question and frisk policing.
"Are you saying we should go back to the programs that your father instituted -- broken windows and stop, question and frisk?" Kramer asked.
"Yes I am, Marcia, clearly," Andrew Giuliani said.
Wilson had the emotional moment of the debate.
"Has gun violence or crime ever personally impacted your life?" Dubois asked.
"On Thursday night, my cousin's father was murdered in his backyard and it was by a monster who was out on cashless bail upstate, who had committed two assaults in recent weeks," Wilson said.
And with the Jan. 6 hearings going on in Washington, the candidates, by and large, defended the role of former President Donald Trump.
"President Trump told his supporters to go peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol and if President Trump wants to run, he should run, and I believe he'll be the Republican nominee and he'll win," Zeldin said.
And in the lightning round, what we call "in one word," the candidates were asked to name a secret skill or talent.
"Definitely not karaoke," Giuliani said.
"People don't know I'm a black belt, actually once won the world championship in sparing. It's not something I've ever mentioned publicly before," Zeldin said.
"Blackjack," Wilson said.
"Yo sera a gubandore por todes New Yorkcanos. I speak Spanish," Astorino added.
As you saw, with the exception of Wilson, they all had trouble with the concept of answering in just one word. But then again, they are politicians.
Afterwards, a panel of experts analyzed the debate with CBS2's Dick Brennan on CBS News New York.
Remember, early voting runs from June 18-26. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 28 and polls open at 6 a.m.
Watch: Post-debate analysis
Watch: Republican primary debate
Congestion pricing
Will you keep the law that affirms a woman's right to an abortion in New York?
Has gun violence ever personally impacted your life?
What role did Donald Trump play in Jan. 6 riot?
Crowd outside CBS Broadcast Center
The countdown is on
Excitement building for GOP debate
Stage is set for one and only debate
CBS2's Lisa Rozner has a preview and closer look at the candidates.
Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino is running again after he was the Republican candidate for governor in 2014. He lost to then incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. Astorino is currently a business and media consultant.
"I'm Rob Astorino. I was twice elected in a deep blue county. As county executive, we cut taxes, slashed wasteful spending," Astorino says on one ad.
Businessman Harry Wilson previously worked in the U.S. Treasury Department under the Obama administration. Wilson is from Johnstown, which is about 45 miles north of Albany, and ran unsuccessfully for state comptroller in 2010.
"I'm running for governor because I cannot sit by while New York is devastated by career politicians," Wilson said. "Sky-high taxes are chasing families and businesses away."
Suffolk County Congressman Lee Zeldin was elected in 2014. Prior to then, the career attorney served as a state lawmaker and has a combined 20 years of active and reserve service in the Army. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006.
"We need political balance in Albany. I learned early on in life the value of hard work. I was raised in a law enforcement household," Zeldin said.
Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, spent four years in the White House as public liaison to President Donald Trump. He has positioned himself as a champion of first responders, including those who lost their jobs due to vaccine mandates.
"What I will do on Day 1 is throw all of these mandates in the dustbin of history," he said.
The last time a Republican was governor of New York was George Pataki, who served three terms before leaving office in 2006.
Andrew Giuliani participating virtually
Andrew Giuliani will participate virtually in the debate in because he will not provide proof of vaccination.
"I don't think that's something that even somebody who has chosen to get the shot should have to do from a constitutional standpoint," he said.
CBS2 released the following statement:
"The CBS Broadcast Center requires that visitors seeking to enter the building must be vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a policy that was introduced last year in consultation with health care experts, government officials and the many unions representing our employees. Any candidate who doesn't meet this requirement is encouraged to participate in Monday's debate remotely. We look forward to providing the opportunity Monday night for the Republican candidates to share their views on matters of importance to the residents of New York State."
Andrew Giuliani is standing by his promise to debate Monday and is urging his fellow candidates to do the same.
"I want to be very clear: this cannot be an excuse for any of my opponents not to show up and debate tomorrow night," he said.
How to watch
Tonight's debate starts at 7 p.m. on CBS2 and CBS News New York.
You can stream it live on CBSNewYork.com or the CBS News app on your mobile device, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Playstation 4, Pluto TV or Xbox One.
Catch up on Democratic candidates
Last week, CBS2 hosted another debate between the Democratic candidates for governor: Gov. Kathy Hochul, Congressman Tom Suozzi and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
They covered a number of topics ranging from homelessness and mental health to and congestion pricing and more.
CLICK HERE to re-watch or read our liveblog from that debate.
Primary voter guide
We have you covered with key deadlines, Early Voting and Election Day polling sites and more.
CLICK HERE for the full guide.
