New York’s mayoral race heated up Thursday night as three candidates — Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa — faced off in a tense debate ahead of the November 4 election. The showdown marked the first of two televised debates, setting the stage for an unpredictable final stretch in one of America’s most-watched local elections.
Early voting begins October 25.
During the debate, Mamdani criticized Cuomo for his past sexual misconduct allegations and his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, accusing him of “sending seniors to their death in nursing homes.” Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels vigilante group, attacked both opponents, saying, “Thank God I’m not a professional politician — they created the crime crisis in this city.” He later remarked, “There’s high levels of testosterone in this room.”
Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary shocked observers after he defeated Cuomo, once considered the party favorite. The 33-year-old Queens lawmaker has run a progressive campaign promising free bus services, rent freezes, and city-run supermarkets — proposals Cuomo has dismissed as unrealistic and costly.
The race took another twist when current Mayor Eric Adams withdrew amid corruption allegations, leaving the field wide open. Cuomo, 67, who led New York State from 2011 to 2021 before resigning over sexual harassment claims, is now seeking a political comeback.
Trump’s Shadow Over the Race
Former President Donald Trump has inserted himself into the race, warning that he would block federal funds to a Mamdani administration, calling the Democrat a “communist.” Mamdani responded, “I’m ready to speak with and work with the president if it helps lower the cost of living for New Yorkers.”
Cuomo warned that “Trump will take over New York City, and it will be Mayor Trump” if Mamdani wins — drawing parallels to Trump’s influence in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Trump announced he had “terminated” the $16 billion Hudson Gateway tunnel project linking New York and New Jersey, further raising tensions.
When asked to imagine his dream news headline, Mamdani replied, “Mamdani continues to take on Trump.”
Polls Show Mamdani Leading
A Quinnipiac University poll shows most voters are unlikely to change their minds after the debate, with only 18% of Mamdani and Cuomo supporters and 24% of Sliwa’s backers open to switching.
In the latest numbers, Mamdani leads with 46%, followed by Cuomo at 33%, while Sliwa trails with 15%.
Sliwa alleged that Cuomo’s team offered him lucrative incentives — “jobs with fat salaries and a driver” — to drop out, which Cuomo denies. “I said, ‘Hey, this is not only unethical, it’s bribery, and it could be criminal,’” Sliwa told AFP.
The second and final New York mayoral debate is scheduled for October 22.
