Cuomo, Sliwa Aim to Blunt Mamdani’s Momentum in 1st NYC Mayoral Debate/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The first NYC mayoral debate featured sharp attacks on frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa aimed to weaken Mamdani’s momentum ahead of November. Mamdani defended his progressive platform amid growing national scrutiny and political attacks.

NYC Mayoral Debate 2025 + Quick Looks
- Zohran Mamdani leads in polls, faces Cuomo and Sliwa in first debate.
- Cuomo, now an independent, fights for political redemption post-scandal.
- Sliwa hopes to benefit from a split Democratic vote.
- Trump and GOP spotlight Mamdani as emblem of radical leftism.
- Mamdani under fire for past statements on NYPD and Israel.
- Cost of living, taxes, and public safety dominate debate themes.
- Eric Adams out of the race but remains on the ballot.
- Second and final debate set for next week.

Cuomo, Sliwa Aim to Blunt Mamdani’s momentum in 1st NYC Mayoral Debate
Deep Look
NEW YORK — The 2025 New York City mayoral race intensified Thursday as the first televised debate saw frontrunner Zohran Mamdani come under sustained fire from his two main rivals — former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa — each determined to stall the democratic socialist’s growing momentum.
Held just weeks before Election Day, the debate offered Cuomo and Sliwa one of their final opportunities to shake up a race increasingly defined by Mamdani’s rise from state assemblyman to national progressive icon.
Cuomo’s High-Stakes Comeback
For Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace as New York governor in 2021 following multiple sexual misconduct allegations, the stakes could not be higher. Now running as an independent, Cuomo is seeking political redemption and a return to power, portraying himself as the only candidate capable of steering the city through financial and social uncertainty.
“We can’t gamble the future of the greatest city on inexperience or extremism,” Cuomo said in a pointed jab at Mamdani.
Cuomo, who has denied all allegations and attempted to reframe his narrative around competence and crisis leadership, used the debate stage to argue that Mamdani’s policies would push New York toward economic collapse.
Mamdani: Progressive Firebrand on Defense
Mamdani, 33, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary earlier this year, stood calmly under pressure. Known for his hopeful tone and unapologetically leftist agenda, Mamdani emphasized his mission to lower New York City’s cost of living and redistribute wealth through increased taxes on the ultra-rich.
“This city belongs to the working class — not just Wall Street,” Mamdani declared.
Still, he had to fend off sharp attacks. Cuomo and Sliwa both targeted Mamdani’s controversial past statements, including calling the NYPD “a major threat to public safety” and his past refusal to disavow the phrase “globalize the intifada” during the Democratic primary — a slogan widely interpreted by critics as antisemitic or inciting violence.
Sliwa Aims for Upset
Curtis Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels and for his brash style, framed himself as the law-and-order candidate for a city he says has lost its grip on crime and chaos. In the last mayoral election, he earned nearly 30% of the vote — a solid base he hopes to expand by capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction and a fractured Democratic vote.
“When both parties are failing, New Yorkers look for someone with street-level solutions,” Sliwa said.
Though running in a heavily Democratic city, Sliwa is betting that Mamdani and Cuomo will cannibalize each other’s support, opening a narrow path to victory if centrists and Republicans rally behind him.
National Spotlight: Trump Targets Mamdani
The race has taken on national significance as Republicans, including President Donald Trump, portray Mamdani as the embodiment of far-left politics. Trump has launched personal attacks, threatening to arrest, deport, or “take over” the city if Mamdani wins — despite Mamdani being a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Such rhetoric has amplified Mamdani’s prominence on the national stage, but also intensified scrutiny of his record and beliefs.
Adams Out, But Still on Ballot
Current Mayor Eric Adams suspended his reelection campaign late last month following a federal corruption probe — which was later dropped — and his controversial relationship with the Trump administration. Despite exiting the race, Adams remains on the ballot because he failed to formally withdraw before the legal deadline.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll conducted after Adams’ departure showed Mamdani maintaining his lead over Cuomo. While Cuomo gained some traction from Adams stepping aside, the shift wasn’t enough to fundamentally change the race dynamics.
Key Issues: Cost of Living, Crime, and Trust
The debate focused heavily on public safety, housing affordability, and trust in leadership. Mamdani pushed for a bold agenda that includes rent control expansion, wealth taxation, and shifting city priorities toward underserved communities. Cuomo countered with promises of administrative expertise and budget stability, while Sliwa emphasized policing and quality-of-life issues.
For voters, the contrast couldn’t be clearer: a progressive insurgent, a scandal-scarred technocrat, and a right-wing outsider — all vying to lead the nation’s largest city in a pivotal post-pandemic moment.
What’s Next?
The candidates will face off one final time in a second debate scheduled for next week. With early voting set to begin shortly after, the next few days may prove decisive in determining whether Mamdani can withstand the political heat or if Cuomo or Sliwa can mount a late-game comeback.
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