The three candidates in the New York City mayoral race took to the debate stage for the final time on Wednesday, less than two weeks before Election Day.
There was no shortage of fireworks between Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D), former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as an independent candidate, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, with Cuomo and Sliwa often side-by-side with Mamdani.
However, with multiple polls continuing to show Mamdani on a clear slippery path to the mayor’s office, it’s unclear whether Wednesday’s debate will move the needle.
Here are five takeaways from the final New York City mayoral debate.
Cuomo-Mamdani rivalry turns into knife fight
The final debate was Cuomo’s last chance to put Mamdani on the stage to defend him and establish himself as the safest choice to lead New York. Cuomo repeatedly scolded Mamdani for his inexperience and petty views. Cuomo also tried to support Mamdani over criticism over his views on Israel.
Cuomo said, “I did things. You never had a job. You never accomplished anything. There’s no reason to believe you’re worthy of 85 million lives.” “You never came to work and you missed eighty percent of the votes. Shame on you.”
Mamdani came prepared for Cuomo, referring to him as “a desperate man” who is losing power and will “amplify right-wing things.” The progressive assemblyman also called the former governor a “puppet of Donald Trump.”
Mamdani said, “You can turn on the TV any day of the week and you’ll hear Donald Trump sharing that his choice for mayor is Andrew Cuomo. And he wants Andrew Cuomo to be mayor, not because it would be good for New Yorkers, but because it would be good for him.”
The debate between Mamdani and Cuomo became so heated at times that Spectrum News moderator Errol Lewis had to ask both of them to stop talking about each other.
There was a moment of excitement between the two candidates when Mamdani was asked if Cuomo had done anything right during the pandemic. Mamdani commented that the process he followed to receive the COVID-19 shot was efficient. Cuomo thanked Mamdani for the praise, to which Mamdani quipped that he received the praise at a city-run facility.
Cuomo aims to create fear around Trump if Mamdani wins
While Mamdani was trying to connect Cuomo to Trump, Cuomo tried to warn New Yorkers about how Trump would treat the city if Mamdani was elected.
“President Trump has to respect you,” Cuomo said, citing his experience previously working with the Trump administration when he was governor of New York. “If Mamdani wins he will take over NYC, think he is a child and put him on his feet.”
Cuomo’s comments appear to be part of an effort to deflect Mamdani’s claim that Cuomo is an apparent vehicle for Trump.
Trump has said that he will not run for mayor of his hometown, but has been vocal about his disdain for the idea of Mamdani serving as mayor.
However, Trump has also said that Mamdani’s victory would be a political “gift” to the Republican Party.
Ahead of the debate on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has told aides he believes Mamdani is unbeatable in the mayoral race.
Sliwa got some notable moments
As a Republican, Sliwa has long been considered a long shot in the race to lead the liberal bastion of New York City. He has also faced pressure to drop out, with Cuomo’s aides arguing that he is boosting Mamdani’s chances by remaining in the race.
The firebrand Republican made it clear he wasn’t going out without a fight, and he had several notable moments during Wednesday’s debate.
Sliwa was often praised for his attacking style against Cuomo and Mamdani. At one point, Sliwa accused Cuomo of fleeing his position as governor amid possible impeachment by the state legislature over sexual harassment allegations.
“Andrew, you didn’t quit,” Sliwa said, turning to Cuomo. “You survived being impeached by the Democrats in the state legislature.”
Sliwa also sought to establish herself as the adult in the room, referring to Cuomo and Mamdani as “two schoolchildren” several times in the debate.
A rowdy audience brings energy
Unlike the first mayoral debate, the final debate featured a live audience. While debate audiences are typically encouraged to remain quiet during forums, Wednesday’s audience cheered and applauded throughout the hour-and-a-half event.
All three candidates received applause from supporters in the audience, who repeatedly reacted to the jabs placed between the candidates throughout the evening.
Mamdani was also responsible for one of the most dramatic moments of the night, when he announced he had brought former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett as his guest. Bennett was one of the women who accused Cuomo of sexual harassment during his tenure as governor.
“One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is in the audience this evening,” Mamdani said, facing Cuomo. “You demanded access to her private gynecological records. She cannot speak for herself because you have filed a defamation case against her. However, I can speak. What about the 13 people you sexually harassed?”
Cuomo responded by arguing that the cases had been dropped.
No game-changer
Wednesday’s debate was a must-watch on television for political fans excited by the mayoral race, which took an unexpected turn with the rise of Mamdani.
But it is doubtful that this incident will change many people’s minds. Although there were certainly fireworks and notable exchanges, there were no major news-making moments. And it’s not clear whether a 90-minute debate will change anyone’s mind less than two weeks from Election Day.
Despite attacks from his opponents and political figures, including Trump, nothing is standing in the way of Mamdani’s ascension to Gracie Mansion.
A poll released Monday by AARP and Gotham Polling showed Mamdani with a lead of 43.2 percent, followed by Cuomo at 28.9 percent and Sliwa at 19.4 percent.
