Endorsement Roundup: To Debate, Or Not to Debate

As the June 26 primary between Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron draws closer, things are starting to get interesting.

Take, for example, a planned debate Monday between Barron, D-East New York, and Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, sponsored by the New York Times Local Blog and Fort Greene Association.

Just two days after it was announced, both Jeffries and The Local said they decided to drop out—citing the inclusion of Green party candidate Colin Beavan and Republican Alan Bellone as the reason.

"We respectfully agreed to participate in this debate to help provide the community with an opportunity to decide the individual best qualified to serve as the Democratic nominee for the 8th Congressional district," said a Jeffries campaign spokeswoman. "Given the addition of two candidates who will not appear on the ballot this June, and the confusion this poses to the electorate, we are declining the invitation at this time."

Update, 3:48 p.m.: Green Party candidate Colin Beavan issued a statement Thursday afternoon on news of Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries' exit from Monday's debate:

"Mr. Jeffries still has time to admit his mistake and change his mind. We are in the middle of world crises as the consumption-based economy begins to fail, climate change terrorizes the poor around the world, and our oil runs out. The last thing we need at this important historical crossroads is to stifle the discussions important to democracy."

A spokeswoman for Fort Greene Association said the debate would go on as planned.

In an email sent Wednesday, a Barron campaign representative confirmed Barron's attendance at Monday's event.

The debate will be held at , 126 St. Felix St. in Fort Greene, on Mon., June 4 at 7 p.m.

Here is a roundup of this week's endorsements:

Charles Barron

Barron's campaign did not announce endorsements in the past week. On May 24, the councilman , the city's largest public employee union with 121,000 members—many of whom work in education.

Hakeem Jeffries

No new endorsements were announced by the Jeffries campaign in the past week. Several Latino elected officials, including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and state Sen. Jose Peralta, D-Jackson Heights, endorsed Jeffries on the steps of City Hall last week.

Colin Beavan

No endorsements announced.

Alan Bellone

No endorsements announced.

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