ALBANY \u2013 It\u2019s some Maloney baloney!<\/p>\n
Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney\u2019s wannabe city councilwoman daughter is ducking a debate challenge from her independent challenger \u2014 so he\u2019s demanding her mom get in the hot seat instead.<\/p>\n
Kyle Athayde is challenging the longtime congresswoman to duke it out with him, accusing her daughter, Virginia, of refusing to face off against him in their bids for District 4 spanning the East Side of Manhattan and Midtown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of the East Side deserve to see more than a surname on the ballot,\u201d Athayde, a former Chair of Community Board 6, exclusively told The Post.<\/p>\n
Virginia Maloney has refused to debate her opponent Kyle Athayde for City Council District 4. @ virginiamaloneynyc\/Instagram<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout my life, I have shown up and fought for my community. Virginia Maloney, on the other hand eked out a primary win thanks to her last name and mother\u2019s connections\u00a0 \u2014 that\u2019s not service, that\u2019s succession,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if Virginia doesn\u2019t want to debate me, I\u2019m more than willing to debate her more experienced mother Carolyn. Wherever and whenever Carolyn wants to talk about issues, I\u2019ll be down,\u201d Athayde said.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Virginia\u2019s campaign wouldn\u2019t commit to a general election debate and said there had been several forums during the primary campaign.<\/p>\n
Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney (right) with her daughter, Virginia Maloney, who is currently running for New York City Council. AP<\/p>\n
\u201cVirginia Maloney is continuing to engage with hundreds of neighbors in the general, just as she has in the primary,\u201d the rep said.<\/p>\n
Her mother directed questions back to her daughter\u2019s campaign, dismissing any notion that she\u2019d entertain Athayde\u2019s apparent stunt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not running. She\u2019s running, and she\u2019s really running her own campaign,\u201d the elder Maloney said.<\/p>\n
Kyle Athayde is running on an independent line for City Council District 4. Kyle Athayde<\/p>\n