Today & Tomorrow: Two Fidler-Storobin Debates Planned (UPDATED)

UPDATE (2:26 p.m.): The Storobin campaign just issued the following release:

The Storobin campaign has just received word that Councilman Lew Fidler will be medically unable to attend either of the two debates scheduled this week for the state senate special election taking place on March 20.

Storobin and Fidler are vying for the 27th State Senate seat vacated by disgraced Democrat Carl Kruger who resigned in December.

The two debates are: 1) Manhattan Beach Civic Association “Candidates Night” debate scheduled for Wednesday (Today), February 29 at 8:00 p.m.; & 2) Canarsie Courier / League of Women Voters Debate scheduled for Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m.

By invitation of the Manhattan Beach Civic Association, Storobin will still attend tonight’s debate and will answer questions from the debate panel and the audience.

Republican candidate David Storobin issued the following statement.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

“I want to extend my best wishes to Lew and let him know that we are all pulling for a full and speedy recovery. Nothing is more important than health, and I fully understand the need to postpone political activities while he gets well.

“In the meantime I will work with the Fidler campaign and the sponsor organizations to reschedule the debates that were scheduled for this week, if possible. I look forward to a spirited discussion on the issues facing voters in the 27th District, as soon as Mr. Fidler is feeling up to it.”

-David Storobin, Republican candidate for State Senate

UPDATE (2:20 p.m.): So right after this post published, we heard back from the Fidler team and the councilman will not be able to attend the MBCG debate (which was really a town hall Q&A). Tomorrow’s event, hosted by Canarsie Courier, will be rescheduled as well.

Original post:

City Councilman Lewis Fidler and attorney David Storobin will participate in two debates tonight and tomorrow for the 27th Senate District, previously held by former New York State Senator Carl Kruger.

(Editorial note: We apologize for publishing this information so close to the event time, but the status of the debates has been unknown since Fidler is currently in the hospital. The councilman’s staff told us yesterday that they believe he will be out and prepared to debate Storobin tonight, but that has not yet been confirmed. We have decided to run this piece to give what notice we could, but the status of the debate is still unknown. As for tonight’s debate, the organizer said they will still be having a meeting and Storobin will be present, regardless of whether Fidler can make it.)

The first debate is being organized by the Manhattan Beach Community Group and takes place tonight at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium of P.S. 195 (131 Irwin Street).

Tomorrow, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) the Canarsie Courier has organized a second debate at the Flatbush Park Jewish Center, 6363 Avenue U in Mill Basin. The debate will be moderated by The Canarsie Courier’s Capital Bureau Chief Marc Gronich and the League of Women Voters of the City of New York’s Kate Doran.

Organizers are hoping the debate between Fidler, the Democratic and Independence party candidate, and Storobin, running on the Republican and Conservative lines, will increase voter turnout in the special election to fill the vacant seat, scheduled for March 20.