Schneps Media, the parent company of amNewYork, is partnering with the city’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and Pix11 to host a series of debates for citywide races ahead of the hotly contested June 24 Democratic primary.
Pix11 will broadcast five debates in the competitive primaries for mayor, comptroller, and public advocate in early June. The debates will include first-round debates for both the Democratic and Republican primaries for comptroller and public advocate and the second-round debates for Republican mayoral candidates.
“At a moment when trust in government is eroded and many people don’t know where to get trustworthy information about elections, the official New York City debates give New Yorkers the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates who are running to represent them,” said CFB Executive Director Paul Ryan in a statement. “We applaud our media partners for their commitment to ensuring voters – especially those who aren’t tuned into election news – can learn more about their options at the polls this June.”
El Diario NYC and Audacy NY (1010 WINS, 94.7 WXBK, WINS Noticias) will partner with Pix11. Schneps Media owns and operates more than 100 local newspapers and platforms in the New York City area, Philadelphia and Palm Beach.
“We’re proud to partner with PIX11 and the CFB for this important debate initiative,” said Schneps Media CEO Josh Schneps. “At Schneps Media, our goal across our family of media outlets is to inform and empower our communities with trusted, high-quality journalism. These debates will help voters make confident, informed decisions at the ballot box.”
WNBC and NY1 will also host debates in the series, along with several other local media partners.
All candidates who opted into the board’s generous matching funds program are required to participate in the debates — that is, if they meet the criteria for standing on the stage.
In order to make the stage for the first-round debates, all contenders must be on the ballot. The candidates for mayor must have raised and spent $198,300, those for comptroller must have raised and spent $123,975, and those for public advocate must have raised and spent $123,975.
The criteria for the second round of debates, which is reserved for “Leading Contenders,” has more stringent participation requirements.
Candidates for mayor must qualify in three ways: raising and spending $2,379,600; raising $250,000 in matchable contributions, including at least 1,000 matchable contributions of $10 or more; or scoring at least 5% in public polls.
Comptroller candidates must have either raised and spent $1,487,700 or brought in $125,000 in matchable contributions, including at least 500 in matchable donations of at least $10. For public advocate, candidates must have either raised and spent $1,487,700 or brought in $125,000 in matchable contributions, including at least 500 matchable donations of $10 or more.
Primary Debate Schedule
Mayoral – 1st Republican Primary Election Debate (NY1)
Friday, May 30, 2025, 7 p.m.
Comptroller – 1st Republican Primary Election Debate (PIX11)
Monday, June 2, 2025, 7 p.m.
Comptroller – 1st Democratic Primary Election Debate (PIX11)
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 7 p.m.
Mayoral – 1st Democratic Primary Election Debate (WNBC)
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 7 p.m.
Public Advocate – 1st Republican Primary Election Debate (PIX11)
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 7 p.m.
Public Advocate – 1st Democratic Primary Election Debate (PIX11)
Thursday, June 5, 2025, 7 p.m.
Mayoral – Leading Contender Republican Primary Election Debate (PIX11)
Friday, June 6, 2025, 7 p.m.
Comptroller – Leading Contender Democratic Primary Election Debate (NY1)
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 7 p.m.
Mayoral – Leading Contender Democratic Primary Election Debate (NY1)
Thursday, June 12, 2025, 7 p.m.
Comptroller – Leading Contender Republican Primary Election Debate (NY1)
Friday, June 13, 2025, 7 p.m.
Public Advocate – Leading Contender Democratic & Republican Primary Election Debates (WNBC)
Saturday, June 14, 2025 / Sunday, June 15, 2025, Final Date and Time To Be Announced
