Potential Assemblyman challenger against Ken Blankenbush wants to debate him this winter, sources say

JEFFERSON & LEWIS COUNTIES- A potential challenger for the seat of New York State Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R, C – Black River) says he wants to debate him this winter.

Blankenbush has long occupied his Assembly seat, which encompasses much of the North Country region, including Lewis County.

However, Lonny Koons says he is stepping up to challenge the Assemblyman and wants to debate him on January 17 in Harrisville, NY, according to some of the latest from WWNY-TV.

Though currently not on the ballot, Koons told reporters how he hopes a debate will help his petitioning. “This is deliberately done before petitioning will begin so that the voters of the district will have the opportunity to know who they’re signing a petition for to be on the ballot before someone just shows up on their doorstep blindly asking them to sign for someone,” Koons said.

Meanwhile, the Assemblyman issued a statement to reporters in response, claiming that how he does not see Koons as a credible candidate and, for now, will not participate in said debate.

North Country News image.