Gov. Hochul commits to join 2 debates in New York Democratic primary

The governor’s ready to tangle.

Gov. Hochul committed Wednesday to participate in a pair of Democratic primary debates, including an NBC New York showdown two days before the scheduled start of early voting.

The governor enjoys an enormous lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race, according to opinion polls, and the debates seem to offer more upside to her long-shot opponents. Hochul’s campaign declined to say last month if she would join the NBC debate on June 16.

But the campaign confirmed Wednesday that she has agreed to join the NBC tilt and a WCBS-TV/Channel 2 debate set for June 7.

A moderate former congresswoman from Buffalo, Hochul faces challenges from Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island centrist, and city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive.

“I’m eager to participate in these debates to highlight our strong track record of getting things done for New Yorkers,” Hochul, the state’s first female governor, said in a statement.

“From day one, I’ve been focused on creating a safer, more affordable New York, where all of our fundamental rights are protected, and am excited to continue to share that message directly with voters across our state on the debate stage,” Hochul added in the statement.

The debate could see Hochul facing sustained fire over her handling of the budget — a deal to send $600 million in state funds toward a new Buffalo Bills stadium has drawn criticism — and over corruption charges lodged against her former second-in-command, Brian Benjamin.

Neither Benjamin’s arrest and resignation nor budget battles have made a clear dent in the shape of the race.

An Emerson College survey of the race conducted earlier this month showed Hochul picking up 45% of the vote, Suozzi scoring 12% and Williams scooping 7%. Twenty-two percent of voters said they were undecided.

Hochul, who is currently isolating in the Executive Mansion in Albany, rose from lieutenant governor to the state’s top post in August after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned. Cuomo faced a slew of sexual harassment allegations and possible impeachment.

Now, Hochul is running to become the first woman ever elected New York governor. The primary is scheduled for June 28, with early voting beginning June 18.

“As we move into the final month of the primary campaign, I look forward to keeping up our pace and momentum and defeating Republicans in November,” Hochul said in her statement.