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John Burnett attacks Scott Stringer in comptroller debate – Metro US

John Burnett attacks Scott Stringer in comptroller debate

8e8de9cbfff672c2b300cec9a3bc230f John Burnett, a former Wall Streeter, is the GOP candidate for city comptroller. Credit: Twitter

New Yorkers who have never heard of John Burnett may hear more about him today after he came out swinging in the comptroller debate against Scott Stringer on Tuesday night.

Burnett, a former Wall Streeter and the GOP candidate in the race, went on the offensive early in the debate.

“You’ve been in politics for 25 years and you owe a ton of favors. I’m surprised you still even have your own soul,” Burnett said during the NY1-hosted debate. “Maybe I shouldn’t be presumptuous. Maybe you actually sold that off a long time ago.”

He criticized Stringer for missing board meetings of the New York City Employee Retirement System.

“You just don’t show up. You are a failure,” Burnett said. Stringer attended 15 out of 165 meetings, he said.

Stringer brushed off most of his rival’s attacks, and tried to remind voters of his opponent’s party affiliation.

“What do you say to the people of New York City today when your party is shutting down the government and trying to put urban America out of business — especially our city, where the hardship would be devastating — all because your party does not want to see 927,000 people get insurance from the Affordable Care Act?” Stringer asked during the cross-examination portion of the debate.

Burnett responded by saying he shouldn’t be lumped together will all Republicans.

“That’s like saying he goes around with hookers because some other Democrat did it. That makes no sense. I’m John Burnett. I’m running on my own merit,” he said.

Both candidates will be on the ballot on Nov. 5. They could face off in another debate if Burnett reaches at least 10 percent in the polls. No polls have yet been conducted, according to NY1.