Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), the borough’s award-winning public-access TV station, is pleased to present a debate between two candidates in the Democratic primary in New York’s 13th Congressional District, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat and Harlem minister Michael Walrond Jr. In collaboration with BronxNet, the public-access network in the Bronx, MNN will produce the half-hour forum as a special episode of “BronxTalk,” airing on multiple cable channels in both boroughs and on the web via Livestream on Monday, June 16 at 9 pm.

In an effort to provide voters with information ahead of the June 24 primary election, MNN and BronxNet invited all four Democratic contenders in Congressional District 13 to participate in the debate. Three candidates accepted, including incumbent Rep. Charles Rangel, who had to cancel the appearance. The Q&A-style program, which was taped on Friday, June 13, will be led by “BronxTalk” host Gary Axelbank, who has moderated more than 40 debates since the show’s inception in 1994.

“We are excited to collaborate with BronxNet to bring this important program to all of our constituents,” said Manhattan Neighborhood Network Executive Director Dan Coughlin, “We see this a companion to the hyper-local election coverage we launched with Race2Represent and look forward to continued collaboration with our sister station in the Bronx.”

“This important debate is being shared so that voters in our community can stay informed and find out where candidates stand on important issues of concern to our borough and beyond, particularly in this district which spans Manhattan and the Bronx,” said BronxNet Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe.

The Congressional District 13 primary debate is the latest in a slew of exciting new offerings MNN has developed to provide information on local elections, government, policy and issues. Last fall, MNN launched Race2Represent, a multimedia, multi-platform initiative providing New York voters with unmatched access to coverage of Manhattan’s 2013 City Council and Borough President races. This spring, the network introduced programs covering Manhattan’s Borough Board meetings, along with Town Hall meetings held by City Councilmembers. Later this month, MNN will premiere “Represent NYC,” a weekly show giving viewers the opportunity to hold local elected officials accountable on their progress in key areas.

The Congressional District 13 Democratic primary debate will air Monday, June 16 at 9 pm on MNN1 (TWC 34, RCN 82, FiOS 33) in Manhattan, on BronxNet (Cablevision 67, FiOS 33) in the Bronx, and simultaneously online at MNN.org and BronxNet.org.