In the final debate of New York City's mayoral race, the atmosphere was charged with tension as the candidates sparred over their qualifications and past controversies.
The frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani, faced criticism over his lack of experience, while Republican Curtis Sliwa sought to establish his credibility as a serious contender. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, was confronted with the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation.
Mamdani, a state assembly member, initially accused his opponents of being preoccupied with infighting. He suggested that he would instead focus on his vision for New Yorkers. However, as the debate progressed, he too was drawn into the fray, attempting to create viral social media moments, including inviting one of Cuomo's accusers to be present in the audience.
According to the Associated Press, Cuomo performed better in this debate than in their first encounter. He capitalized on the debate's focus on the practicalities of running the city to highlight his political experience. Despite previously urging Sliwa to withdraw his candidacy to prevent a split in the anti-Mamdani vote, Cuomo refrained from making such a request during the debate.
Instead, he sought to portray Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, as ill-prepared for the role, emphasizing his pro-Palestinian advocacy and the threats from President Donald Trump to take over the city if Mamdani wins.
Mamdani had initially stated his intention to focus on issues such as affordability, which have fueled his momentum and garnered him national attention. However, he did not shy away from criticizing his rivals, accusing them of spending more time urging each other to withdraw from the race "than actually proposing their own policies."
He claimed that Cuomo and Sliwa "speak only in the past because that is all they know." He further described Cuomo as "a desperate man, lashing out because he knows that the one thing he cares about, power, is slipping away from him."
Cuomo, on the other hand, highlighted his experience, saying to Mamdani, "You have never had a job. You've never accomplished anything." He insisted that Mamdani lacks the merit and qualifications to run the nation's largest city or handle its emergencies. Sliwa joined in the criticism, accusing both men of "fighting like kids in a school yard."
He quipped, "Zorhan, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City." He also frequently referenced Cuomo's resignation as governor amid numerous sexual harassment allegations, which Cuomo denies.
The candidates were questioned on specific issues such as crime, the subways, and the notorious Rikers Island jail complex. Mamdani faced criticism for declining to take a position on a set of initiatives that will appear on the November ballot. He also stated that as mayor, he would ask New York City's police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to remain in her post, despite having been highly critical of the city's police in the past.
The candidates also expressed their opposition to the recent immigration enforcement sweep on Manhattan's famed Canal Street, which resulted in 14 arrests. Both Cuomo and Mamdani pledged to resist federal interventions in the city, with Mamdani describing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as "a reckless entity that cares little for the law and even less for the people that they're supposed to serve."
The candidates were also questioned on their stance towards President Trump. Cuomo claimed that a Mamdani victory would be a "dream" for the President, saying, "He has said he'll take over New York if Mamdani wins, and he will! Because, he has no respect for him. He thinks he's a kid and he's going to kick him on his tuchus." Mamdani, in turn, portrayed Cuomo as Trump's "puppet" and too closely aligned with the President. Sliwa cautioned both candidates against antagonizing the President, saying, "You can't beat Trump."
Cuomo continued to face questions about the allegations that led to his resignation. Mamdani revealed that one of Cuomo's accusers, his former aide Charlotte Bennett, was present in the audience. He pressed Cuomo on the allegations and the millions in taxpayer dollars spent to defend him in court.
Cuomo denied any wrongdoing and admonished Mamdani, saying, "If you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature." Bennett was the second woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, alleging that he subjected her to invasive questions about her personal life and sexual relationships. Cuomo denies Bennett's allegations.
As the debate concluded, several candidates noted that New Yorkers would probably rather be watching the Knicks opening game of the season, which coincided with the debate. Cuomo was later photographed at the game's second half, sitting next to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Login