NYC mayoral debate underscores contrast between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo

Last night, New Yorkers and viewers across the country tuned in to watch the first general election debate for mayor of New York City. And as far as debates go, this one was charged, full of spats, and came with a direct and thoroughline of questioning that didn’t leave anything off the table. 

Within minutes, Democrats Andrew Cuomo (who is running as an independent) and Zohran Mamdani, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, made clear that they came not just prepared to share their positions, but also to follow up, push back on criticisms or mistruths, and repeatedly fire well-rehearsed jabs at one another. 

The trio let viewers know just how different they are—not just as candidates, but also, as people. The tension was so high it prompted Sliwa to comment, “There’s a lot of testosterone in this room,” minutes into the debate. 

Here are some key takeaways from the event:

Cuomo’s past is not forgotten—and likely will never be

Early on, Cuomo, who resigned as governor following an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, had to answer tough questions about his record.

As both Sliwa and Mamdani attacked the former governor about his handling of nursing homes during the Covid pandemic, and the sexual misconduct allegations, it felt clear that his past won’t soon be forgotten.

But Cuomo wasn’t the only candidate who was pressed.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblyman, was asked hard-hitting questions that came with follow-up after follow-up on how he will fund his major proposals: making buses and childcare free and freezing rent. 

Mamdani talked about taxing the wealthiest one percent, while Sliwa called his ideas “fantasies” and Cuomo seemed to criticize him for wanting to lower the cost of living.

The rent is still too damn high

When candidates were asked how much they pay in rent, Cuomo and Mamdani gave starkly different answers.

While Mamdani answered that his rent is $2,300 per month, Cuomo said he pays $7,800 and claimed that Mamdani “has a rent-stabilized apartment that a poor person should have.” 

Given that many New Yorkers are struggling to pay their rent, the comment felt out of step with what residents can actually afford. 

Gaza looms large in NYC

Another issue that took up a solid chunk of the debate was the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mamdani was pressed over his pro-Palestine stance, which Cuomo said makes Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe.

Cuomo repeatedly brought up that Mamdani has failed to explicitly condemn Hamas and the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which Cuomo asserted means “kill all Jews.”

Mamdani countered that “of course” he condemns the attacks by Hamas, and that in talking with Jewish New Yorkers on the campaign trail, he has learned that the phrase in question invokes fear; he noted that he will “discourage” the language, calling it “language that I do not use.” 

However, he pressed that, like many New Yorkers, he stands firmly against genocide and the occupation of Palestinian territories, which the International Court of Justice has said is illegal. He also stood up for Muslim New Yorkers, questioning why Cuomo has never been a leader for Muslims. 

“It took Andrew Cuomo being beaten by a Muslim to ever set foot in a mosque,” Mamdani said.

A study in contrasts

Overall, while Cuomo leaned into his experience, Mamdani pressed that if New Yorkers want more of the same, they should vote for Cuomo. 

“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity,” Mamdani said to the former governor. “What you don’t have in integrity, you could never make up for in experience.”

As the two frontrunners sparred back and forth, Sliwa held his own. But at times, the Guardian Angels founder—who appeared at the debate without his trademark red beret—felt lost in the shuffle.

This was especially true when he accidentally answered a question that wasn’t meant for him, and when he didn’t give a president’s name when asked to name his favorite modern president. 

He also couldn’t manage to say “Zohran” correctly. He repeatedly called his fellow candidates “the architect” (Cuomo) and “the apprentice” (Mamdani), in an apparent attempt to paint a picture of how he stands out from the both.

But the candidates mostly seemed to ignore him. 

The final questions of the night focused on the candidate’s human side. When each were asked if they had ever purchased cannabis, Cuomo said no, Sliwa said he had for medical reasons, and Mamdani giggled as he openly answered that he had purchased cannabis from a legal dispensary. The moment is likely one that younger voters will find relatable (and memeable). 

There was no clear winner of the night, as what stood out the most was just how different Cuomo and Mamdani are. But, in terms of zingers, Mamdani had the best ones.

The final jab of the night when they were all asked whether they’d go to a Knicks or Mets game if they were both happening at the same time—and Cuomo said “both.”

Mamdani laughed as he said, “This is what New Yorkers are tired of. Just pick a team.” 

The candidates will have one more opportunity to make their positions clear at the next debate, which takes place next Wednesday, October 22, just three days before the start of early voting.

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