Here’s where New York politicos are watching tonight’s debate

The first presidential debate between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia will air Tuesday night on ABC, and New York’s political insiders are prepared to take in the spectacle. 

Morale among Democrats appears much higher than it did a few months ago, when President Joe Biden’s jarringly halting debate performance set off alarms within the party and prompted loud calls for him to drop out of the race, which he eventually heeded. Enter Harris, who has galvanized Democrats in New York and across the country with her more youthful posture and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. 

Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign pushes ahead in spite of ongoing legal battles, the Republican standard bearer even getting his New York civil fraud trial delayed until after the election. He’s been hitting the trail in the leadup to the debate, deploying an unconventional campaign strategy targeting infrequent voters that reportedly has concerned some party officials. 

Both candidates have agreed to debate rules that mirror those of CNN’s, although Harris’ campaign has argued that the muting of microphones when candidates aren’t authorized to speak will limit her. 

The debate will air at 9 p.m. and there are a host of venues to watch from across the state. Check out City & State’s list of options to see the two candidates face off: 

New York City

Manhattan

United Federation of Teachers, at their Lower Manhattan headquarters, 52 Broadway, with UFT President Michael Mulgrew and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

Harlem Democrats for Change, Upper Manhattan Democrats for Change and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, at Harlem Tavern, 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd., with Assembly Members Manny De Los Santos, Yudelka Tapia and George Alvarez, New York City Council Members Carmen De La Rosa, Pierina Sanchez and Oswald Feliz and others.

Four Freedoms Democratic Club, at Sojourn Social, 1708 2nd Ave. 

New York for Harris, at PB Brasserie Steakhouse, 60 West 125th St.

Hell’s Kitchen Democrats, at VERS, 714 9th Ave. 

Brooklyn

The United 43rd and Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club, at Bleu Nuk Bk., 1150 Nostrand Ave., with Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, state Sen. Kevin Parker, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, New York City Council Members Rita Joseph and Farah Louis and Democratic district leaders.

Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Stonewall Democrats of New York City, Manhattan Young Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats, Independent Neighborhood Democrats and New Kings Democrats at Berry Park, 4 Berry St.

Vanguard Independent Democratic Association, at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St. 

Grand Army Bar, 336 State St., with New York City Council Member Lincoln Restler.

Queens  

New York Working Families Party, at Terraza 7, 40-19 Gleane St., with state WFP Co-Directors Ana Maria Archila and Jasmine Gripper, Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Council Members Julie Won, Shahana Hanif and Tiffany Caban and Assembly candidate Claire Valdez.

Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Stonewall Democrats of NYC and Queers for Kamala, at Icon, 31-84 33rd St.

Staten Island

Don Roberto’s, 616 Forest Ave., with Republican state Senate candidate Marko Kepi.

Bronx

Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, at Blackstone Bar and Grill, 3713 Riverdale Ave., with New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz.

Westchester County

New York Working Families Party and Make the Road Action, at Justin’s Deli, 86 Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow.

Albany

New York Working Families Party at the home of Citizens Action New York Executive Director Rosemary Rivera, 342 Clinton Ave., with Assembly candidate Gabriella Romero.

Newburgh

New York Working Families Party, at For the Many’s office, 170 1st St. 

Binghamton

New York Working Families Party and Citizens Action of New York, at Atomic Tom's, 196 State St., with state Sen. Lea Webb.

Buffalo

New York Working Families Party, at the Harris/Walz Campaign Headquarters, 193 Delaware Ave., 2nd Fl.

Erie County Democratic Party, at The Oakk Room, 1435 Main St., with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. 

Rochester

New York Working Families Party, at VOCAL-NY’s office, 189 N Water St.

Long Island

New York Working Families Party, at Long Island Progressive Coalition’s office, 90 Pennsylvania Ave., Massapequa.

New York Working Families Party, at 111 Jackson St., Hempstead.

Port Washington Democrats, at the Port Jewish Center, 20 Manorhaven Blvd., Port Washington.

Ulster County 

Ulster County Democrats, at Darlings, 838 Route 32, Tillson.