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Just one week before election day, New York State Sen. John Mannion and Rep. Brandon Williams met on the debate stage for the fourth and final time in their race for the NY–22 congressional seat.

Moderated by CNY Central anchors Matt Mulcahy and Michael Benny, Tuesday night’s debate touched on presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the economy, recent campaign ads and the effects of social media.

Unlike previous debates, the candidates were not given an opportunity to give an opening statement and instead went straight to question and answer. The moderators opened by asking both candidates to speak about their respective party’s presidential candidates’ strengths.

Mannion said the democratic candidate is the best option because the United States needs to look forward and move past “dehumanization and negativity” from the republican candidate.

Neither Mannion nor Williams mentioned Harris or Trump by name in their responses.

Williams asked viewers to consider if they’re better off today than they were four years ago. He said the U.S. needs a republican in the White House and that he “looks forward” to conservative victories on Election Day.

When asked about resolving conflict in the Middle East, Williams said the U.S. needs to “stand strong” in its support for Israel and should “stand up against the hegemony” of Iran.

Mannion said Israel is the United States’ ally, and that American lawmakers must work with Israel toward a two-state solution.

Williams accused Mannion of being disingenuous in his support for Israel, claiming that the Working Families Party, which supports Mannion, is “pro-Hamas.” Mannion responded by saying that the U.S. needs to support “our ally” but was interrupted by Williams, who asked him if he would denounce the Working Families Party. Mannion did not respond.

When asked about the state of the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams said families are suffering as a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration. He said the economy “might be doing well on Wall Street, but is not doing well for Main Street.”

Mannion said he understands the feelings of his constituents as a former public school teacher, and that he’s been instrumental in accelerated middle-class tax cuts in central New York and a child tax credit. He also said he would sign to get rid of the State and Local Tax Deduction Cap if elected.

The moderators then asked both candidates to describe an attack campaign ad currently running that “ticks them off.”

Williams pointed to the ads about his abortion stance, claiming Mannion has spent millions lying to women about his views. He reiterated that while he is pro-life by faith, he believes in exceptions for rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother and said he would not support a national abortion ban.

Mannion said ads claiming he supports defunding the police are “lies” and that he has always supported law enforcement. He said he has family members who work in law enforcement and that Williams is painting him as someone he is not.

Both candidates agreed when asked about the effects of social media on children, saying its effects are harmful to their mental health and well-being.

Megan Coleman, a CNY Central anchor, asked candidates if they supported placing warning labels on social media apps.

Williams said that while a warning label on social media platforms is not going to deter kids from using it, he said he supports investigations into TikTok and its “detrimental effects.”

Mannion said he would support such warnings and that he rejects the “predatory” algorithms affecting children in the U.S.

In his closing statements, Williams called himself a “political outsider,” a title he has used to refer to himself in every debate so far this fall. He said politicians don’t like him because of his directness and that the U.S. is on the “wrong track” because “politicians are to blame.”

Mannion said that as a U.S. congressman, he will focus on the interests of central New Yorkers above other issues. He said the NY-22 district’s people care about each other, “lift each other up” and he will work to deliver on promises for constituents.

Early voting in New York state began on Oct. 26th. To find a local polling place, visit vote.org.

Published on October 30, 2024 at 1:14 am

Contact Delia: dsrangel@syr.edu