The three mayoral candidates in New York faced off in their final debate on Wednesday, just under two weeks before Election Day.
The debate was quite dynamic, with Democratic Rep. Zoran Mamdani, independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa exchanging sharp barbs, particularly between Cuomo and Sliwa directed at Mamdani.
Despite the heated exchanges, most polls show that Mamdani remains the frontrunner for the mayor’s position, leaving uncertainty about whether the debate could shift the trajectory of the race.
Here are the main points from the debate:
Cuomo and Mamdani clash intensely
The debate marked an essential opportunity for Cuomo to pressure Mamdani and portray himself as the most capable candidate for New York. He repeatedly criticized Mamdani for her perceived lack of experience and depth in thinking, confronting her with pointed questions about her criticisms regarding Israel.
“I’ve done things. You’ve never accomplished anything. It’s hard to see how you can lead 8.5 million people,” Cuomo asserted. “You’ve missed 80 percent of the votes. That’s quite a record.”
In response, Mamdani labeled Cuomo as a “desperate man” clinging to power, accusing him of echoing right-wing sentiments and being a “puppet of Donald Trump.”
“Turn on the TV, and you’ll hear Trump calling Cuomo his choice for mayor. It’s not about New Yorkers; it’s about him,” she remarked.
At times, the exchange escalated to the point where host Errol Lewis had to intervene to restore order.
However, a lighter moment occurred when Mamdani commented positively on the vaccination process during the pandemic, prompting Cuomo to joke about the venue where she received her shot.
Cuomo warns of Trump influence under a Mamdani win
As Mamdani attempted to link Cuomo to Trump, Cuomo countered by cautioning that a Mamdani victory may lead to a negative scenario for New York City under Trump’s governance.
“Trump respects experience,” Cuomo claimed, reflecting on his time working with Trump. “If Mamdani wins, he thinks he’s in charge, and that could get messy.”
Cuomo’s statements seemed aimed at disproving Mamdani’s assertion that he was merely a Trump ally.
Though Trump indicated he wouldn’t intervene in the mayoral contest, he expressed disapproval of the idea of Mamdani as mayor, referring to it as a potential “gift” for Republicans.
Reports prior to the debate suggested that Trump believed Mamdani might be unbeatable in this race.
Sliwa makes an impression
Republican Sliwa has often been seen as an underdog in this left-leaning city. Some supporters of Cuomo argue that Sliwa’s presence might actually boost Mamdani’s chances, leading to calls for him to withdraw.
But Sliwa is adamant about staying in the race, and he had several standout moments during the debate.
He made headlines by accusing Cuomo of abandoning the governorship amid impeachment threats over harassment allegations.
“Andrew, you say you didn’t leave, but you fled from impeachment,” Sliwa challenged, trying to cast himself as the mature candidate compared to Mamdani and Cuomo, whom he described as “two elementary school kids.”
Audience engagement adds excitement
This debate also featured a live audience, generating energy that was absent in the first debate. Typically, such audiences are quiet, but the crowd cheered and applauded throughout the event.
Supporters responded enthusiastically to the candidates’ exchanges, and Mamdani created a memorable moment by introducing Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to Cuomo who accused him of sexual harassment.
“Charlotte Bennett is here tonight,” Mamdani called out. “You tried to misuse her medical records. She can’t speak due to your lawsuits, but I will. What do you say to the 13 people you’ve harassed?”
Cuomo retorted by claiming the lawsuit had been dismissed.
Will it change anything?
While the debate was likely captivating for political enthusiasts, it’s uncertain if it will sway many voters. Sure, there were confrontations and memorable moments, but it didn’t seem to present any game-changing revelations. With just two weeks until election day, it remains to be seen if this debate can alter the voters’ sentiments.
Despite the attacks and ongoing pressure, Mamdani’s lead appears intact. A recent AARP and Gotham Polling survey indicates Mamdani holds a 43.2% lead, with Cuomo at 28.9% and Sliwa trailing at 19.4%.
