Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Tom Suozzi and city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are all vying for the Democratic nomination for governor, but only Suozzi and Williams will face off Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in a Democratic debate moderated by Spectrum News anchors Susan Arbetter and Errol Louis.

Hochul, who is seeking a full term, declined the invitation to participate. Her opponents asked her to participate in six debates, but she only agreed to two.

The Hochul campaign responded Thursday to Spectrum News’ request for comment a day earlier by saying the governor is skipping the debate “to focus on the end of the legislative session in Albany” and would be part of other debates.

Hochul’s two primary challengers have repeatedly noted that she assumed her post last August, rather than being voted in, after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned.

“She was not elected to this office,” Suozzi said.

“None of us have ever been elected to governor of the State of New York,” Williams said.

Hochul's absence leaves Suozzi, challenging her from the right, and William, challenging her from the left, with more time to make the case for their candidacies.

“People are concerned about crime, taxes and affordability. There’s an anxiety out there,” Suozzi said.

“We’re fighting for and working on public safety, 100%, housing and a transformative economy,” Williams said.

They said in pre-debate interviews with NY1 that Hochul’s lack of participation means she cannot explain or defend her positions in-person.

Suozzi in particular is critical of her pick of former state Sen. Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor and her deal for a new Buffalo Bills stadium.

Benjamin resigned in April after being arrested and indicted for his role in a bribery scheme.

“She’s making a mistake by not addressing crime, she’s making a mistake by not addressing the highest taxes in America, she’s making a lot of mistakes,” Suozzi said. “And I think the voters are going to hold her accountable.”

Hochul has several advantages over her challengers, including the bulk of union labor support, public polling leads and a massive campaign war chest.

Williams, backed by the Working Families Party, has been focusing less on Hochul and more on combatting crime with solutions beyond police.

“What New Yorkers are now understanding more than ever is that if we really want to support them, we have to make sure we’re not asking them to do everything,” Williams said. “Because every time we do that, we don’t see the results we want.”

The most recent filings show the governor has $18.5 million cash on hand compared to Suozzi with $2.7 million and Williams with just $131,000.

The Democratic primary for governor is June 28th.

Watch the debate Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m., only on Spectrum News.