The two Democrats seeking their party’s nomination to challenge Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney in New York’s 24th Congressional District will meet for a public debate next month in Geneva.
The debate between Democratic candidates Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum is scheduled for June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Smith Opera House.
The event is being sponsored by the Seneca County Democratic Committee and the Ontario County Democratic Committee and will be free and open to the public. The debate will be moderated by R. Eric Barnes, professor of philosophy and emeritus director of debate at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Ellman and Kastenbaum both secured enough petition signatures to appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary election next month.
Seneca County Democratic Committee Chair Rachel Weil said the debate will allow voters to hear directly from the candidates ahead of what she described as a significant primary race.
Ontario County Democratic Committee Chair John Hurley said Democrats in the district are energized heading into the election and noted voters will have a choice between what he called two strong candidates.
Organizers are also inviting members of the public to submit questions for the candidates ahead of the debate through an online form.
The two have also agreed to another debate that will be held on June 9th at Genesee Community College in Batavia.
The winner of the June 23 Democratic primary will face Tenney in the general election on Nov. 3. Tenney has represented the 24th Congressional District since 2023.
