The U.S. Senate race will be in the spotlight Sunday night when NY1 hosts a debate between Senator Charles Schumer and his Republican challenger, Wendy Long, that will air across the state. Bobby Cuza filed the following report.
Sen. Charles Schumer could soon be one of the most powerful people in Washington, set to become Senate Majority Leader if Democrats win control of the chamber. But his re-election race has gone almost entirely under the radar, overshadowed by presidential politics and the fact Schumer has led in polls by as many as 46 points over his largely unknown opponent.
While she is running as an anti-establishment outsider, Republican and Conservative Party candidate Wendy Long is not a total newcomer. She ran against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand four years ago, losing in a landslide. At their debate, Long was aggressive, sometimes stepping on Gillibrand’s remarks
Sunday's debate against Schumer could prove more contentious. Long, who has modeled her campaign after Donald Trump's, has relentlessly disparaged Schumer, accusing him of pay-to-play corruption. We asked her if the gameplan Sunday was to attack.
"Definitely attack," she said. "He's a big fish and he must be attacked. And if I'm lucky, I will be able to harpoon him."
Schumer is no stranger to a street fight. He unseated incumbent Al D'Amato in a bruising, negative race in 1998, but then twice coasted to re-election. His last debate against Republican Jay Townsend was spirited but cordial.
Schumer told us there was no risk of his getting complacent.
"Complacency and Schumer don't intersect," he said.
But he was coy on his debate prep.
"I have opinions on issues. I've never been afraid to talk about them. I do every Sunday here at our Sunday press conferences. So that makes the debate a lot easier," he said.
One thing that is clear: after virtually ignoring his opponent all campaign, avoiding even the mention of her name, Schumer will have no choice but to engage with Long Sunday night.