Rand cites several news outlets who offered to host debate, incl. Rockland News. No word from Weber yet.
by Kim Anderson, Correspondent
ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — Democratic State Senate candidate Joe Rand says he has accepted invitations from several Rockland County organizations and news outlets to debate or participate in candidate forums with incumbent State Sen. Bill Weber ahead of the November general election.
Rand’s campaign said he has accepted invitations from Rockland Community College, Rockland News and Rockland Daily. According to the campaign, Weber had not accepted any of those invitations as of Oct. 1.
Weber, a Republican who also holds the Conservative Party line, currently represents New York’s 38th State Senate District. He was first elected to the Senate in 2022 and reelected in 2024. The district includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown and Ramapo.
Rand, the current mayor of Nyack, is challenging Weber in the Nov. 3 general election. Rand has served on the Nyack Village Board since 2021 and was elected mayor in 2023.
“The voters of the 38th district deserve the chance to hear Senator Weber and me debate our different ideas for the future of Rockland County,” Rand said.
Rand said he would prefer to hold four debates, with one taking place in each of the four towns included in the Senate district.
In his statement (full text listed below), Rand also criticized Weber for not accepting a debate invitation so far, suggesting the incumbent does not want to defend his record or policies. That characterization represents Rand’s campaign position.
Rand’s campaign said the candidate is willing to participate in additional debates or forums organized by local news outlets or community organizations before Election Day, whether or not Weber attends.
No response from Weber was included in the statement released by Rand’s campaign.
The State Senate contest is part of the Nov. 3 New York general election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with early voting scheduled from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1.
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