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New York State Sen. John Mannion and Rep. Brandon Williams faced off for their first of four debates at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Tuesday evening. The two are competing for the NY-22 congressional district seat.

As the countdown to Election Day dwindles toward the one month mark, House Democrats are looking to NY-22 as one of its most flippable seats. Though the debate jumped between national and state topics, Mannion and Williams focused their remarks on the broader implications of their policy goals, alluding to the race’s significance on the national stage.

Mannion and Williams, both self-described political outsiders, debated on border security, abortion, poverty in Syracuse and the district’s growing tech industry, among other topics. The candidates maintained decorum as they expressed opinions that adhered closely to their respective party platforms.

In their opening statements, Mannion emphasized the need to protect abortion rights and invest in the public education system, while Williams focused on economic issues and improving American infrastructure. This race has garnered the eyes and wallets of national political action committees and raised questions about the amount of funding coming from sources outside of New York state.

During the debate, syracuse.com editor and moderator Chris Baker asked Williams what New York voters should think of contributions to his campaign from external sources. Williams said that, considering the national implications of the race, it makes sense that larger PACs are investing.

Baker said that “somewhere between 12 and 14 million dollars” are expected to be spent on this race from groups outside the state.

Multiple times, Williams referred to the race as one of the closest in the United States House of Representatives this cycle. The Hill has labeled the NY-22 race as a “toss up” but gives Mannion a 58% chance of winning.

During a short-answer rapid question segment, Baker asked both candidates to describe former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in one word. Williams described Trump as a “disruptor,” while Mannion called him “dangerous.” They described Harris as “inexperienced” and “motivating,” respectively.

Throughout the debate, Mannion’s points adhered to the democratic platforms reflected in Harris’ campaign. Williams stood firm in supporting several stances taken by Trump, but denied the former president’s claims that the election was stolen from him in 2020.

Williams emphasized his beliefs on abortion, saying he is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother. He claimed Mannion’s campaign has spread lies about his abortion stance, to which Mannion said all of his claims are backed up by facts.

Recent campaign ads, both for and against Williams, have made false claims about his stance on abortion rights, syracuse.com reported. Ads supporting Williams have “softened” his views on abortion, while ads against him have claimed he supports a national abortion ban.

Brycen Pace | Asst. Photo Editor

Mannion (left) and Williams (right) accept questions from reporters following Tuesday evening’s NY-22 debate. The two will engage in three additional televised debates ahead of the U.S. general elections in November.

Mannion said he believes abortion is not a states rights issue, but instead a women’s rights issue. Williams said abortion rights are not currently under attack in New York, and state laws about it will not be impacted by the NY-22 election. Williams said he would not support a federal abortion ban, though Mannion said the incumbent “cannot be trusted.”

When asked about gun control, Mannion said he supports a ban on assault weapons and is a proponent of universal background checks. He attributed the lack of mass shootings in New York state to strict gun legislation — including its red-flag and ghost gun laws. Baker asked the candidates if they themselves own guns, to which Mannion said no and Williams answered yes.

Williams said he supports ending Cashless Bail, legislation passed in 2019 that eliminated the use of cash bail for most misdemeanors and some nonviolent federal charges, which he claimed Mannion campaigned for.

Mannion assumed office in 2020 and was not in the State Senate when the legislation was passed. He said he listened to his constituents and worked to change those laws to give judges more discretion to increase the number of bail-eligible crimes.

Williams also said the Raise the Age law, which raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, and the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, which limits the use of solitary confinement in prisons and jails, need to end. He said these policies make it the “best time ever to be a criminal” in New York.

During the discussions of crime in the debate, Mannion at multiple points raised his record of supporting law enforcement, including his involvement with creating the Syracuse Hancock International Airport’s police unit. Williams also expressed his support for law enforcement, especially in relation to the two Syracuse police officers who were killed while on duty earlier this year.

One of the few positions Mannion and Williams agreed on over the course of the evening was the need to cut costs of higher education. Mannion highlighted the need for loan forgiveness and keeping tuition costs frozen, though Williams said loan forgiveness would put further economic strain on middle class taxpayers.

On the state of the economy, Williams said the U.S. has seen record inflation under the Biden administration and several “bad” policies. He said the country was better off under Trump. In response, Mannion said inflation is a worldwide issue and mentioned his personal efforts to address it locally, including his efforts to introduce free meals at public schools.

Unlike the recent presidential and vice presidential debates, the NY-22 candidates never raised their voices over the course of the evening and even chuckled together during the short answer segment.

The candidates will meet for a second televised debate, hosted by WCNY PBS, on Oct. 8.

Published on October 2, 2024 at 1:48 am

Contact Duncan: digreen@syr.edu