The two major-party candidates in the 43rd State Senate District hope to stage a debate prior to the Nov. 6 election, both political camps said late Thursday. 

Robin Andrews, D-Claverack, sent letters offering a debate to both Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, and incumbent Republican State Sen. McDonald, on the day after the GOP primary.  Marchione was eventually declared the winner of the close primary race after the counting of absentee ballots on Sept. 25.

“Robin wants to have a debate, any place any time,” Andrews’ campaign spokesman Colin Brennan* said Thursday.

Marchione spokesman Ken Girardin said, “We’re interested in having a debate,” although, he added, nothing has been definitively organized yet. With Election Day less than five weeks away, both camps would need to agree on a date and a venue in the four-county voting district and potentially secure a sponsor of the event. 

Incumbent state Senator Roy McDonald and Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione staged a debate at Russell Sage College on Sept. 11, two days prior to the GOP primary.

On Thursday, Andrews announced she received the endorsements of pro-choice groups NARAL Pro-Choice NY, Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, and New York Choice PAC.  The groups, she said, have contributed to ensuring all women have access to healthcare. “New York’s women need to know that their representatives will fight to ensure that their rights are protected and preserved,” Andrews said in a statement.

In September, Marchione received the endorsement of Gun Owners of America, a non-profit lobbying organization dedicated to preserving Second Amendment gun-ownership rights.

Andrews posted a campaign balance of $27,800 this week, according to campaign finance reports.  Marchione posted a campaign balance of $20,400 on Sept. 22, her most recent available filing.

The newly reconfigured 43rd Senate District encompasses all of Columbia County, and parts of Washington, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties. There are approximately 202,500 voters registered in the district, according to the state Board of Elections.

* A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the spokesman for Andrews as Colin Brewer, rather than Colin Brennan