Avella, Thompson Face Off in Primary Debate

New York, NY —

The two Democrats who want to run against Mayor Bloomberg this fall faced off in a live debate last night. WNYC's Bob Hennelly was there and has this report.

REPORTER: In the lively 90 minute debate City Councilman Tony Avella took City Comptroller Bill Thompson to task for taking campaign cash from developers and money managers who also do business with the city's pension funds. Thompson forcefully denied any quid pro-quo existed.

Both men saved their toughest rhetoric for Mayor Bloomberg who they criticized for overturning voter backed term limits, and favoring monied interests over those of average New Yorkers. Both men called the lack of progress at Ground Zero a national disgrace and blamed Mayor Bloomberg.

Avella pledged to ban the controversial police practice of stopping and frisking hundreds of thousands of civilians while Thompson said it's a valid law enforcement tool that needs stricter oversight. The primary is September 15th. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.