First-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and former Rep. Mondaire Jones accused each other of extremism Wednesday in a heated debate over a lower Hudson Valley House seat.
They repeatedly accused each other of lying about his background.
Lawler described Jones as a Democratic socialist, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, during his time in the House, supporting Biden and Harris' lax border policies, record inflation, and the state Democratic Party's unpopularity. He portrayed them as “radical leftists” who voted for “sectarianism.” Cashless bail law.
He put Jones on the defensive, accusing him of making derogatory comments about police officers and ICE officers.
During the News 12 debate, Jones claimed that Lawler is an ally of Donald Trump and “MAGA Republicans” and that they have no intention of keeping him in check.
Both Mr. Lawler and Mr. Jones had to reconsider their arguments.
Lawler, who is a “big fan” of Michael Jackson, was asked about an old photo that recently resurfaced of the “Thriller” hitmaker in blackface at a college Halloween party.
“I understand why people are upset,” Lawlor said, noting that he had apologized.
“Should we do this today? Absolutely not.”
Jones, who is black, would not leave Lawler alone, calling the blackface episode “very offensive” and “part of a pattern.”
But with Kathy Hochul serving as the first female governor, she was asked to explain why she said in a recent interview that she didn't want a “little bitch to be governor.”
Jones said his comments were not directed at Hochul, but said he apologized to her to end the “distraction.”
During a discussion about abortion and women's rights, Lawler said, “You're the only one who called the first female governor a little 'B word' that rhymes with witch.”
Mr. Lawler also said that Mr. Jones is a carpetbagger and has declined to run for re-election in the 17th District in 2022 after redistricting, instead covering lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn. He suggested he was running as a “progressive champion” in the 10th District.
Jones lost the Democratic primary, but then decided to run for the Hudson Valley seat, which includes all of Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester County and Dutchess.
The lawmaker explained the difference between the two as follows. “We do not support cashless bail and defunding the police. We do not support congestion pricing… We do not support open borders and amnesty for illegal offenders… We do not support tax increases and reckless… I do not support inflationary policies.
“Do you know who supports these things? Mondaire Jones,” Lawler said.
Jones said a Trump presidency with a Republican-led Congress would be dangerous for New York and the country, saying Trump would be better able to protect abortion rights and get immigration reform done instead of border congestion. He insisted it was a choice.
“[Lawler] “Jones has never stood up to Donald Trump a day in his life.”
“We deserve better.”
There were clear differences on some issues.
Mr. Jones supports a ban on assault weapons, while Mr. Lawler opposes it.
Jones supports Proposition 1, a ballot measure that enshrines the right to abortion and enshrines “equal rights” for transgender individuals in the state constitution.
Lawler opposes Prop. 1, arguing it would strip away parental rights and allow biological males who identify as transgender athletes to compete against women.
