Nassau County Comptroller and Republican Senate candidate George Maragos said this afternoon he welcomed Wendy Long’s call for a trio of debates, but said such a challenge is “premature” considering no sponsors have lined up.

“I find Ms. Long’s challenge premature in that she does not appear to have made any arrangements with any of the media outlets or the League of Women Voters to host the debates,” Maragos said in a statement.

He added that his campaign had reached out to YNN sister station NY1 to host a forum, but was waiting confirmation before making a public statement.

“I am confident that my experience, values and vision for New York will prove to be the best choice for Republican voters on June 26th and for all New Yorkers in November,” Maragos said.

Long, a Manhattan attorney in her first political campaign, called for three debates prior to the June 26 Senate primary between herself, Maragos and Rep. Bob Turner.

Turner spokeswoman Jessica Proud said in an email that the campaign is looking forward to debating “key issues” like raising gas prices, but did not commit to Long’s call.

The winner of the primary faces U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall.

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