New York's matzo factories and diners will take a backseat to the debate stage and talk show circuit as the entire presidential field — two Democrats and three Republicans — descends on the nation's largest city.
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will hold their first debate in more than a month, a showdown Thursday in Brooklyn that comes at a tense moment in the Democratic primary. Republicans Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich will each speak at a state GOP gala before the latter two candidates make appearances on the late night shows.
While the White House hopefuls have been blanketing New York state for several days, holding rallies and mingling at local hangouts, Thursday's events are among the last high-profile opportunities they'll have to appeal to voters.
Front-runners Clinton and Trump hope the state can propel them past stubborn challengers and into the general election. Preference polls show Clinton and Trump leading their respective contests heading into Tuesday's primary.
Democrats:
Hillary Clinton debates Democratic rival Bernie Sanders at the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Duggal Greenhouse at 9 p.m. The CNN debate will be moderated by Wolf Blitzer.
Bernie Sanders will speak to the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Al Sharpton, at noon. Hillary Clinton spoke to the group a day earlier at the same location.
Local
The debate comes a day after Sanders held a large rally in Washington Square Park.
Republicans:
Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Suffolk County Republicans dinner on Long Island at 5 p.m. Some people have criticized the Patchogue event for its proximity to the site of a deadly 2008 hate crime. They plan to hold a vigil and protest near The Emporium, where Trump is speaking. Others contend that outrage over Trump's visit is purely political. Suffolk County authorities said that they will be posting extra police outside The Emporium on Thursday in anticipation of the protests.
Trump will then take a helicopter to New York City, where he’ll join fellow GOP candidates Ted Cruz and John Kasich for the New York State Republican Gala. The gala will be held at the Grand Hyatt in midtown. Trump is scheduled to speak and protests are expected outside.
Ted Cruz starts his day in Buffalo, where he’s taking part in a town hall with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd. Cruz’s wife, Heidi, will join her husband for the event, which is being held at the University of Buffalo. It will be taped and air on MSNBC at 8 p.m. Thursday.
After the Buffalo town hall, Cruz travels to New York City, where he appears as a guest on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” It will air Thursday at 11:30 p.m. on NBC.
Cruz then heads over to the Grand Hyatt in midtown, where he’ll join Trump and Kasich for the New York State Republican Gala.
John Kasich kicks off the day with a town hall on Long Island. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews will interview Kasich at the town hall, which is being held at the Milleridge Inn Cottage in Jericho at noon. The taped event will air on MSNBC at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Kasich then travels to New York City to appear on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” It will air Friday at 12:30 a.m. on NBC.
Kasich then joins Trump and Cruz at the Republican gala in midtown.
