Nixon, Cuomo to Debate Before September Primaries

Cynthia Nixon might as well have double-dog dared New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to debate her.

WABC-TV and its partners, including WNYC, had invited the Democratic gubernatorial candidates to debate, and Nixon wasted no time beating Cuomo to the punch, releasing a video accepting the invitation. 

In her latest bid to ratchet up pressure on Cuomo, she issued the challenger's traditional call for the incumbent to debate onstage so that voters can hear both candidates make their respective case. And the Tony-award winning actor-turned politician did it with a few extra taunts for good measure. 

"No huge multi-candidate free-for-all like you always insist on. One-on-one. No distractions. Nowhere to hide," Nixon said in the video posted Monday morning.

Nixon was alluding to a memorable general election campaign in 2010, in which Cuomo's campaign negotiated a debate format with multiple marginal candidates. And in 2014, Cuomo refused to debate primary challenger Zephyr Teachout.

His campaign at first responded that Cuomo was "reviewing invitations" and looking forward to "a robust debate." 

A spokesperson later clarified he would indeed participate — but did not commit to a date, debate format, or media outlet.