(CNN) It's the climate change fight no one saw coming.

A day out from their big-ticket debate, a leaked email has brought up -- quite literally -- the temperature in the race between New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and primary challenger Cynthia Nixon.

Frustrated by a pre-debate process they say effectively shut them out of negotiations over questions like its date and whether the candidates would sit or stand, Nixon's team suggested in a note to debate hosts WCBS that the room temperature be set to a toasty 76 degrees.

It was a cheeky opening bid, the campaign later said, an effort to move the dial away from the chilly atmosphere Cuomo is known to prefer while also turning some public attention toward his alleged control of the debate settings.

Nixon had for months lobbied to face off with Cuomo before a date was finally announced on August 13 without any discussion between the camps over the details, according to Nixon's team.

Read More