Today, the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) announced the sponsors and schedule for the New York City Debate Program for the 2013 elections. The CFB has administered the Debate Program in every citywide election since 1997. The debates are a core component of NYC Votes, the CFB’s nonpartisan voter engagement campaign.
“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. “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. This will be the fifth citywide election cycle for the Debate Program, an essential part of our political process.”
The CFB administers the Debate Program though individual debates are sponsored by outside media, civic groups and academic institutions. After a thorough, competitive process, the CFB has selected three sponsor groups comprising 15 organizations to reach as wide and diverse an audience as possible. The sponsor groups are as follows:
- CBS 2 News, WCBS Newsradio 880, 1010 WINS, El Diario/La Prensa, and Common Cause/NY
- NBC 4 New York, Telemundo Nueva York, and 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. The full schedule of debates is available on the CFB website.
“We are proud to provide our viewers with opportunities to hear the candidates’ views regarding the most important issues facing New York City,” said Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations, and President and General Manager, CBS 2 New York. “Our coverage of the debates will be available across the full spectrum of CBS’s local assets in New York, including CBS 2, WLNY 10/55, WCBS Newsradio 880, 1010 WINS, and cbsnewyork.com. We are pleased to partner with El Diario/La Prensa, Common Cause/NY and CUNY to serve the diverse audience that will tune in for these debates.”
“NBC 4 New York is proud to be a 2013 CFB debate sponsor and host,” said Michael Jack, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York. “Along with our sister station, Telemundo Nueva York, we look forward to welcoming the candidates to 30 Rock, where they will have an opportunity to deliver their respective visions for the City and answer questions from our unrivaled team of journalists. Our polling partnership with Marist will ensure that the debates focus on the critical issues that matter most to New Yorkers. We’ll also include voter input in the debates – and bring them to millions of people – via our vast social media and digital reach. As New Yorkers get ready to cast their ballots, NBC 4 and Telemundo Nueva York are pleased to help educate the public by bringing them up-to-the-minute coverage of the spirited face-offs among the contenders.”
“NY1 News and NY1 Noticias are very excited to once again be part of the Campaign Finance Board's Debate program. This is one of the most competitive mayoral elections since the creation of the CFB, and we look forward to holding what will be lively and informative debates that will help New Yorkers gain greater insight into how the candidates would lead the city,” said Dan Jacobson, News Director, NY1 News and NY1 Noticias.
“The Wall Street Journal is proud to bring New Yorkers a robust series of debates to foster a better understanding of the city's future mayor and the issues driving the election. Deep coverage of politics has been a core part of the Greater New York section's mission, and our participation in these debates is another illustration of the Journal's commitment to New York City," said John Seeley, editor of the Greater New York section.
“El Diario/la Prensa has a long tradition of promoting civic engagement and with 2.3 million Hispanics who stand to be affected by the outcome of this election, we are committed to having a thorough discussion on the positions of the candidates,” said Erica Gonzalez, Executive Editor of El Diario.
Ben Mevorach, Director of News and Programming at 1010 WINS said, “We are thrilled to be a primary resource for New Yorkers during this election cycle. Civic engagement is the most basic and important guiding principle that defines who we are as a people, as a community, and as a society. Our city’s diversity is its strength and our elections help put that strength into action.”
“WNYC and The Brian Lehrer Show are committed to energizing voters and encouraging participation in the 2013 Elections,” said Jim Schachter, Vice President for News at WNYC. “The municipal debates represent a huge opportunity for voters to get to know their candidates. WNYC Radio is proud to sponsor the forum and to make it available to listeners on FM93.9, AM820, and wnyc.org.”
“The goal of any news organization has to be to operate for the greater public good. There is no more important mission in serving that greater good than to support efforts to increase voter participation in, and awareness of, public elections. We’re proud to stand with our partners and the members of the Campaign Finance Board in this effort for Campaign 2013,” said Tim Scheld, Director of News and Programming WCBS Newsradio 880.
Jake Dobkin, Publisher at Gothamist said, “One of Gothamist's goals is to cover local politics in a way that is engaging to young people across the city. For that reason, we're excited to be a debate sponsor, and look forward to raising debate awareness and participation online and off.”
“With the 2013 election cycle promising to be pivotal in determining the direction of city government going forward, Citizens Union is pleased to be a sponsor of the debate program,” said Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union. “Informing voters about the candidates running for office and where they stand on important policy issues is crucial to ensuring that voters are empowered to make decisions and hold elected officials accountable.”
“For the first time in twelve years voters will have two competitive primary elections for an open seat for New York City mayor, as well as several city-wide races to decide. Common Cause/NY, along with our partners, is proud to participate in the Campaign Finance Board's Debate 2013 program to help New Yorkers make an informed decision about these critical races. Democracy depends on participation and we are committed to engaging an audience as diverse and varied as New York itself,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.
“Hispanic Federation is excited to be amongst the media outlets and community organizations selected to sponsor this year’s official NYC Campaign Finance Board Debates as we elect a new Mayor, Public Advocate and Comptroller,” stated José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation. “New York’s two million Latino residents have much at stake in this election and it is vital that they all tune to hear the candidates’ plans to strengthen our neighborhoods and create opportunities for economic empowerment.”
Peter H. Kostmayer, Executive Director of Citizens Committee of New York City said, “Political debates are one of the oldest traditions in this, one of the nation’s oldest cities. Citizens Committee for New York City is proud to join in sponsoring these debates as we prepare to choose a new Mayor of our city.”
“New York City is at a crossroads, and Transportation Alternatives is proud to sponsor this debate program,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “We’re excited to engage New Yorkers at the grassroots, help them educate candidates by giving voice to communities’ values and enable voters to learn where the candidates stand so they can make informed decisions about which path our city will take. Our website transalt.org/vote will complement the debate program and help people engage in the city’s democratic process.”
NYC Votes is the nonpartisan voter engagement campaign of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC). In addition to promoting voter registration, participation, and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships, NYC Votes sponsors the city’s official Debate Program and produces the citywide Voter Guide.