Candidate Debates

The Debate Program is a cornerstone of the CFB’s voter education efforts. It provides New Yorkers with an opportunity to compare candidates side-by-side as they discuss the important issues facing the city.

• To be eligible to participate in this debate, candidates must meet the following minimum criteria as established by the Campaign Finance Act:
  • have raised and spent $113,875 (2.5% of the expenditure limit for Public Advocate) as reflected in the campaign finance disclosure statement which must be filed with the CFB by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2019; 
  • be on the ballot as of the date of the debate and meet all other minimum criteria under the Campaign Finance Act.

• By law, the second debate is reserved for "leading contenders";
• To be eligible to participate in this debate, candidates must: 
  • be on the ballot as of the date of the debate and meet all other minimum criteria under the Campaign Finance Act;
  • have raised and spent $136,650 (3% of the expenditure limit for Public Advocate) as reflected in the campaign finance disclosure statement which must be filed with the CFB by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2019;
    AND
  • Either:
    • have received an endorsement from a City, State, or federal elected official who represents all or a portion of New York City; or have received an endorsement from one or more membership organizations with a membership of over 250 members residing in New York City;
      OR
    • have at least 750 small dollar contributors (contributed $250 or less in the aggregate to the candidate within the current election cycle), each of whom is a resident in the city of New York, as reflected in the last filing statement prior to the Debate, which must be filed by Friday, October 25, 2019.

Past Debate Information

• 2019 Public Advocate Special Election [link to archived page]
• 2017

Past Debate Videos

• 2013
• 2009
• 2005
• 2001