Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, has challenged state Assemblywoman Grace Men, D-Flushing, to five televised debates during the race for the Sixth Congressional District seat.
Halloran will face off against Meng this fall after U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside, earlier this year.
“I am running a substantive campaign, based on the issues that matter to New Yorkers,” Halloran said. “If my opponent is doing the same, she’ll happily agree to debate me five times on television. If she won’t, New Yorkers have to ask themselves,’ What does Grace Meng have to hide?’”
A spokesman for Meng said the assemblywoman would be happy to join Halloran for a series of debates, hopefully organized by local civic organizations in neighborhoods that comprise the district.
"Assemblywoman Meng will gladly debate Dan Halloran and his support for the radical, ultraconservative, Republican agenda, including his plans to privatize Social Security, pass the Ryan Budget and continue the failed economic policies focused on supporting the wealthiest one percent of Americans," the spokesman said.
The councilman has suggested that the debates should take place across the district, which includes Bayside, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Forest Hills, Ridgewood and a number of other Queens neighborhoods.
“I have a plan to create jobs, cut taxes and spending and get our country back on track from day one. My opponent, best as I can tell, has recycled statements from liberal special interest groups. By debating me, she can fill us in on what she’d actually do if she were elected. She hasn’t told us much of anything yet.”
