Zohran Mamdani had a lot to lose in the first New York City mayoral debate, and the pair of Republican Curtis Sliwa and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo aimed to rattle his lead.
Voters saw Mamdani stay his affordability course, a red beret-less Sliwa rattle off about his street experience on the candidates largest stage yet, and Cuomo fiercely spout his pro-Israel views — all in about 2 hours on Thursday night.
Issues at the debate included affordability, housing, public safety, Israel, and even the candidates favorite breakfast order. In their pitch for one of the most personality-rich cities in the world, each candidate painted a drastically different picture.
Mamdani said he wanted to be considered the “change” candidate, asking voters to vote for the former governor if they felt their rent was too low, but to vote for him if they thought it was too high. He continued his affordability rhetoric, saying he would work with adversary President Donald Trump if he wanted to speak about lowering prices.
The socialist reformed his previous statement on Hamas laying down their arms in Gaza, definitely saying he believed they should do so. In a recent Fox News interview, he would not commit to saying the terrorist group should lay down their arms.
He also got his shots in on Cuomo, referencing the governor’s attacks on his lack of experience.
“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. And what Andrew Cuomo lacks in integrity, he could never make up for with experience,” he said.
Cuomo popped Mamdani for his past comments on defunding the police and his appearance with streamer Hasan Piker, who once said America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks, and touted his experience as governor. He also said he would split his time between the New York Knicks and Mets if each were in their respective championships, drawing laughs from Sliwa and Mamdani.
Sliwa stood between the pair of politicians and didn’t hold back from attacking both at the same time. He touted his opposition to congestion pricing, which will toll vehicles $9 to enter parts of Manhattan, and called Cuomo “the architect,” and Mamdani “the apprentice” of no-cash bail, which he feels worsens public safety.
The Guardian Angels founder also felt ignored at times, asking after an exchange between Mamdani and Cuomo if there were three candidates on stage. Sliwa is considered the third-best polling candidate in the race.
All three candidates declared victory after the debate concluded.
Sliwa said he was the “clear winner” and that Cuomo should drop out of the race because he “bombed” the debate. “I was the clear winner tonight. Cuomo bombed it. He should drop out and let me take on Zohran Mamdani one on one, and I’ll beat him for New Yorkers,” he posted on X.
Bill Mulrow, Chair of the Cuomo for Mayor campaign, told the Washington Examiner in a statement that Cuomo “was the only candidate on that stage capable of doing the job on Day One.”
“Tonight’s debate demonstrates the simple fact that this is no time for on the job training, and Andrew Cuomo is the only candidate that will hit the ground running,” he added.
Mamdani reposted a Politico screengrab after the debate that said, “Mamdani is dominating the NYC mayoral debate,” and commented “You’re hearing it more and more.”
It’s unclear who stood out in particular during the debate, but at least one Democratic strategist felt Mamdani dominated, while Cuomo fell flat. .
“@ZohranKMamdani is just dominating this debate. @andrewcuomo has been on the defensive the entire time. Even Curtis Sliwa showing more poise and signs of life than Cuomo,” strategist Lis Smith posted on X. She also called Mamdani a “generational communicator.”
Politico rated Cuomo as winning during one point in the debate, but ultimately declared Mamdani the winner. “Because of his ability to stay on message, remain calm and make clear cost-of-living points, Zohran Mamdani won the debate,” the outlet noted.
Here’s what else stood out from the first of two NYC mayoral debates. The next one will be held on Oct. 22.
Mamdani and Sliwa agree in believing Cuomo would not stand up to Trump
None of the three candidates showed a particular kinship on Thursday night, but the two candidates furthest on the political spectrum found common ground on Cuomo. It came during a discussion on how candidates would respond to Trump deploying the National Guard in New York City.
“You think you’re the toughest guy alive, you lost your own primary, you were rejected by your Democrats,” Sliwa said. “You have a difficult understanding of what the term ‘no’ is.”
“You are not gonna stand up to Donald Trump.”
Mamdani concurred. “I agree with Curtis,” he said.
Cuomo has reportedly spoken with Trump about the mayoral race and he’s also the president’s preferred candidate.
All three candidates dodge supporting Hochul
Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa were all asked if they’d support Hochul in her 2026 reelection bid, and none committed to doing so.
Mamdani, who Hochul recently supported, put off any endorsement of the governor. “It’s a decision that should be made after this general election,” he said.
Cuomo said he would have to know who is running, while Sliwa didn’t comment. Mamdani later noted that he appreciated how the governor stood up to Trump.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who may run for governor against Hochul, reveled in the lack of support for Hochul shown by the candidates. “The biggest loser in the NYC Mayor Debate was Kathy Hochul, the Worst Governor in America,” Stefanik’s campaign said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
“Not a single candidate would publicly state that they support Kathy Hochul. Not Andrew Cuomo who previously picked her as LG. Not Zohran Mamdani who she endorsed. Not Curtis Sliwa. No one.”‘
No obvious signals towards a major race change
Mamdani has been in the polling lead for months with hopes from Cuomo that the rest of the field would drop out so he’d have the best chance to beat the Democratic socialist.
CUOMO PICKS UP NEW SUPPORT IN NYC MAYORAL RACE AFTER ERIC ADAMS DROPS OUT: POLL
The socialist dodged any major gaffe Thursday night that would change his polling lead, and Sliwa didn’t change his stance on leaving the race. Cuomo had pressed him to do so.
Instead, Sliwa asked Cuomo to step away from the race for a classic Democrat and Republican matchup. “Drop out, @andrewcuomo. It’s time for a one-on-one: Sliwa vs Mamdani. Let the people decide,” he said on X afterwards.