Zoran Mamdani from the Socialist Party skillfully evaded tough questions and handled multiple attacks from former Governor Andrew Cuomo during a fiery debate for the mayoral race on Thursday. The event featured intense exchanges among the three candidates, including a vocal Curtis Sliwa, and was staged at 30 Rockefeller Center, attracting substantial viewer interest. However, it’s uncertain if New Yorkers grasp how the next mayor might deal with the complexities of running the largest city in the country.
Mamdani, who leads the Democratic field, continued to emphasize a message of “affordability,” yet he didn’t provide specific plans on how to achieve these goals, avoiding direct answers on several hot-button topics.
“Zoran, kid, you have fantasies,” Sliwa remarked during the two-hour debate, which was organized by NBC 4 New York, Telemundo, and Politico.
Sliwa criticized Mamdani’s proposals, stating, “It’s never going to happen in terms of funding everything you want. It’s going to be free, free, free. That’s an illusion. Let’s deal with reality.”
Cuomo, who is now running as an independent, seized every chance to challenge Mamdani, referencing his ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, his comments on Israel, and past statements about the NYPD. He even labeled Mamdani as someone who has “literally never held a job,” suggesting that in times of crisis—like a health pandemic—he wouldn’t be equipped to lead effectively.
However, Mamdani appeared relaxed on stage, combining ethereal promises such as free transit, universal childcare, and rent controls while attempting to link Cuomo to controversial figures like President Trump and wealthy elites.
“Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up his 2020 tweet about sending seniors to their death in nursing homes, but I want to work with police officers, not defund the NYPD,” he stated.
The ongoing back-and-forth saw Mamdani and Sliwa taking swings at Cuomo regarding his management of the pandemic and the sexual harassment scandal that resulted in his resignation in 2021. Sliwa, lacking his signature red beret, made a reference to the city’s cash bail issues, labeling it a “disaster.”
Meanwhile, Sliwa’s jabs often left him overshadowed as he recounted personal anecdotes, including a past incident involving a shooting in a taxi in 1992.
He also sharply rebuked Cuomo, comparing him unfavorably to his late father, Mario Cuomo, saying, “You’re not Mario Cuomo.”
Key Moments from the First New York Mayoral Debate
Sliwa challenged the former governor, saying, “I know you think you’re the toughest man alive, but you lost your own primary,” after Cuomo claimed he wouldn’t rely on the National Guard if President Trump issued a command.
Polls suggest Mamdani holds a significant lead ahead of the November elections, creating pressure on Cuomo and Sliwa to stand out during the debate. Nevertheless, their aggressive approach didn’t seem to rattle Mamdani, who continued to focus on “affordability,” despite not elaborating on how a $10 billion plan would be funded amid Governor Kathy Hochul’s unwavering stance against tax increases.
“Look, a lot of people assumed my campaign wasn’t serious at the outset, yet here I am, proud to be the Democratic candidate with the most votes in the city’s primary history,” Mamdani said, continuing to sidestep questions.
On other hot topics, he expressed vague support for policies regarding the Middle East, stating that he “of course” believes Hamas should disarm, but noted he had “no opinion” on broader issues. While saying he no longer supports defunding the police, he also claimed he wouldn’t increase police hires, even though the department is already short of personnel.
Mamdani expressed some support for Local Law 97, which demands significant renovations on buildings to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, he offered limited justification when Cuomo attacked his rent freeze proposal. He reiterated his commitment to rent freezes for stabilized apartments regardless of potential impacts on landlords.
“We’ve seen the data year after year showing that salaries are stagnant,” he argued, pointing out rising costs. “Prices are going up and New Yorkers can’t really afford apartments.”
Sliwa blasted Mamdani for the Democratic Socialists’ strategy to address mental health by combining police and mental health teams, calling it pure “fantasy.”
Political analysts remarked that the contentious debate likely won’t alter perspectives significantly. “This complete clown-show debate is a sobering reminder that no matter who wins in November, New Yorkers will be the losers,” a Democratic strategist commented.
“Mamdani has vulnerabilities on various issues and would be an easy target,” noted political strategist Andrew Kurtzman. “But as a communicator, he’s remarkable. He conveys his message well and remains calm under pressure. Both Cuomo and Sliwa had moments of impact, but ultimately their attempts to unnerve him fell flat.”
Cuomo, who previously triumphed over Mamdani in the Democratic primary, once again accused his opponent of not being a genuine Democrat. Reflecting on his primary defeat, the former governor indicated that his unfamiliarity with technology was a contributing factor.
“We haven’t utilized social media effectively, which is a robust platform,” Cuomo remarked. “I believe that congressman was more savvy on TikTok and social media than I was during my campaign.”
Mamdani quickly countered, saying, “This discussion lasted an hour and 20 minutes, and I have to mention that I didn’t hear Governor Cuomo say the word ‘affordable.’ That’s why he lost the primary and will likely lose the general election.”
