New York mayoral candidates Zoran Mamdani (D), Curtis Sliwa (R), and Andrew Cuomo (I) are all set to participate in their first debate on Thursday. This will be the initial face-off since Mayor Eric Adams decided to withdraw from the race.
The debate, organized by NBC4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU, and Politico, will kick off at 7 PM ET, with another one scheduled for the following Wednesday.
In late September, Adams announced he would not seek re-election, narrowing the race to three candidates. Notably, Adams has yet to back Cuomo. I mean, it seems like Cuomo was caught off guard by Adams’ pullout.
Currently, Mamdani holds a significant lead over Cuomo in the polls, which means the upcoming debates could be crucial for Cuomo as they represent his last chance to gain traction before the November election.
Here are a few key points to consider ahead of the first debate.
Will Cuomo win over Adams’ supporters?
One of Cuomo’s main objectives during Thursday’s debate might be to attract Adams’ voter base, positioning himself as a more effective choice in this race.
According to the latest public polls from Decision Desk HQ, Mamdani garnered a 45% approval rating on the day Adams resigned, while Cuomo was at 27%. Just a week later, Mamdani’s rating ticked up to 46%, compared to Cuomo’s 31%.
In contrast, Sliwa’s approval has remained low, around 13%, making him another target for Cuomo as he tries to close the gap with Mamdani.
Citing reports from CBS News New York, Cuomo has expressed a willingness to welcome Adams’ endorsement, which could prove beneficial. However, there’s a division within the Republican Party regarding candidate support. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani backs Sliwa, even calling him a typical New Yorker with extensive crime-fighting experience. Yet, some of Giuliani’s former aides have thrown their support behind Cuomo.
Is Mamdani addressing voter concerns?
Mamdani has faced criticism for his self-identified democratic socialist stance and various contentious views, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and proposals like a rent freeze. To ease concerns, he has committed to avoiding certain controversial terms and has actively engaged with business leaders to broaden his coalition.
Despite some prominent leaders, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, withholding their endorsements, Mamdani seems to be attempting to shift perceptions. The debate could serve as a platform for more clarity on his positions.
What topics might dominate the debate?
The candidates will likely delve into the ongoing Israel-Gaza situation, especially regarding peace negotiations previously brokered by former President Trump. Cuomo has critiqued Mamdani’s stance on related issues, whereas Mamdani argues that Cuomo is too closely linked to Trump through shared donor interests.
Both candidates have called out Trump, although they’ve also acknowledged some of his foreign policy achievements. They haven’t shied away from criticizing each other for their late reactions to significant events, like hostage releases.
Another pressing issue could be the recent indictment of Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges. This situation complicates Cuomo’s narrative, as James has been a significant critic of him, having been involved in the allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo during his gubernatorial tenure. Interestingly, she supports Mamdani, which puts Cuomo in a tricky spot.
While both candidates have been vocal regarding the politicization of law enforcement, Cuomo’s statements have already drawn criticism for their lack of specificity regarding James.
Additionally, affordability and the impact of a government shutdown on New York will likely come up as well.
What role will Sliwa play in the discussion?
Sliwa could act as a spoiler, potentially drawing votes away from both Mamdani and Cuomo. Although Adams’ exit might give Cuomo a fighting chance, he still needs support from independents and Republicans to effectively compete with Mamdani.
Sliwa, despite polling lower than his opponents, has shown no signs of withdrawing, asserting that he’s essential in opposing both Mamdani and Cuomo.
Will this debate change the race’s trajectory?
A significant question for Thursday night is whether either candidate will benefit from the discussion. Mamdani has consistently led in the polls, increasing pressure on Cuomo to make a shift as election day approaches.
While debates often influence last-minute voter decisions, they tend to be memorable for defining moments or slip-ups. For Cuomo, managing to highlight Mamdani’s shortcomings while avoiding any major blunders will be critical in this round. However, previous efforts to label Mamdani as radical haven’t substantially impacted the polling numbers.
Cuomo will participate in another debate next week, giving him one more opportunity to capture the attention of voters before making a final appeal as election day nears.
