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Ms. Cait Conley

Cait for New York
PO Box 96
Ossining, NY 10562
[email protected]

Dear Cait,

Now that the Fourth of July holiday is behind us, I am writing to renew my debate challenge to you, which I made on June 23.  The same challenge you have ignored, while journalists with the area’s largest newspaper said you “owe it to voters” to participate.  

As you will recall, I challenged you to six televised debates to give voters in New York’s 17th Congressional District ample opportunity to see us share the same stage and debate the issues important to residents and taxpayers.  

We all agree that this will be one of the most competitive and watched congressional races in the entire country. Frankly, that level of national attention requires candidates willing to engage in vigorous public debate, not through press releases, tweets, and carefully choreographed events put on by organizations based out of DC, but rather one-on-one in front of a large television audience. We have an opportunity to set a standard for transparency and substance that other high-profile campaigns around the country would be pressed to emulate.

Moreover, with absentee ballots being mailed out just over two months from today, there is no legitimate reason to delay us scheduling the first debate right away. I am confident we can find a sponsor and moderator who will accommodate us in short order.

Disappointingly, your campaign to date has been focused on lying about my proven bipartisan voting record, supporting tax increases and Sanctuary policies, concealing your lucrative consulting contracts with AI and big tech companies, and endlessly repeating canned, hyperpartisan talking points that have been long on biography and woefully short on detail or substance.

Voters deserve better. They deserve to hear why you defend positions like:

• Opposing expanding the cap on state and local tax deductions and raising taxes by over $4,000 a year for the average Hudson Valley taxpayers

• Supporting Sanctuary City policies and handcuffing law enforcement as it relates to immigration enforcement

• Embracing radical Socialists in New York City and inviting them to come campaign with you in the Hudson Valley

• Endorsing Kathy Hochul’s disastrous energy mandates and “green” policies that are driving up electricity costs is a good idea

Voters know where I stand on issues.  They know my bipartisan record.  They know – whether they ultimately agree with me or not – that I speak my mind, never run from a debate, fight for them and their families, and deliver on my promises.  Frankly, they don’t know much about you at all.  It’s time for them to learn.  

I have authorized my campaign manager and general consultant to work with their counterparts on your team to schedule the first of our six debates this month, and I am hopeful you will authorize your team to do the same.  Let’s debate, Cait!

Sincerely,

Michael Lawler

U.S. Congressman (NY-17)