GOP candidates for N.Y. governor to debate; unvaccinated Andrew Giuliani to join remotely

The four leading candidates in New York’s Republican primary race for governor have a shot to make their case on Monday night in the race’s lone scheduled TV debate, but one candidate is expected to attend remotely — because he said he has not received his COVID shots.

Andrew Giuliani, son of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, will join the WCBS-TV/Channel 2 debate virtually, according to the network. Rep. Lee Zeldin, Rob Astorino and Harry Wilson are all expected in-studio for the 7 p.m. Eastern tilt.

Giuliani said Sunday that he had not been fully vaccinated, and that the channel told him last week that he needed to provide his proof of vaccination as a condition for in-person participation.

“I told them I would not do that — I don’t think that’s something that even somebody who has chosen to get the shot should have to do from a constitutional standpoint,” Giuliani, 36, said at a news conference. “I chose very clearly that I was not going to get the shot.”

[ Who’s who in New York’s Republican primary for governor?  ]

About 88% of adult New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, according to state data. Giuliani may hope his stand will inspire some of the state’s most conservative voters.

WCBS said in a statement that the CBS Broadcast Center, the site of the debate, requires all visitors to have been vaccinated against COVID, a policy instituted last year “in consultation with health care experts, government officials and the many unions representing our employees.”

Vaccinations do not seem to provide an airtight barrier to transmission. But health officials have continued to emphasize the value of shots, which provide robust protection against severe cases.

Zeldin, a pro-Trump Long Island lawyer who is backed by the state Republican Party, called Sunday for WCBS to find another venue that does not require vaccination for entry.

“The remote option is a nonstarter,” Zeldin tweeted. “Also, the reason to have him virtual is ridiculous.”

And Astorino, the party’s nominee for governor in 2014, ripped WCBS in a post of his own, charging that the mandate is “discriminatory and unscientific.”

Brian Lowder, chief assignment editor at WCBS, said Monday afternoon that the channel was carrying on with its plan, and that Giuliani would join from an undisclosed location.

Giuliani said Sunday that he was prepared to receive multiple COVID tests in advance of the debate and that he has natural immunity from a prior infection.

He enjoys significant name recognition owed to his father. But Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, has seen his standing among many New Yorkers damaged by his efforts to reverse former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss.

Trump has not publicly made an endorsement in the governor’s race.

Andrew Giuliani’s campaign has struggled financially. It had less than $313,000 on hand late last month, according to Board of Elections records, the smallest chest among the top four candidates.

In an Emerson College poll of the race conducted last week, Zeldin led the field with 34% support from voters, Astorino picked up 16%, Wilson nabbed 15% and Giuliani trailed with 13%.

The Republican hopefuls are vying to take on the winner of the Democratic primary. Gov. Hochul holds massive polling leads in that race; she faces long-shot challenges from Rep. Tom Suozzi and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Primary Day in the governor’s race falls June 28.