The 90-minute debate, hosted by Spectrum News, was the last debate before voters head to the polls in the nation’s largest city.
Zoran Mamdani speaks directly to President Trump in FOX News interview
Zoran Mamdani, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, appeared on Fox News for the first time and addressed President Trump.
NEW YORK – Who will rule the Big Apple? Before New Yorkers vote in the mayoral election on Nov. 4, three men intent on doing so engaged in a heated battle on Oct. 22 in a final debate.
In a lively debate on Spectrum News NY1 on Oct. 22, Democratic front-runner Zoran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist state representative, tried to portray himself as mayoral material ahead of Election Day. He was standing between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani accused his two opponents of being relics of the city’s old politics, but struggled to take a stand on key issues such as housing and schools.
Mr. Cuomo, 67, and Mr. Sliwa, 71, made a last-minute effort to characterize Mr. Mamdani as inexperienced and too idealistic. During that time, they attacked each other to shore up the anti-Mandani vote, particularly those opposed to his views on the treatment of Israel and the Palestinians.
Cuomo, who is second in the polls, tried to explain his past, including his resignation as governor. Mr. Sliwa, who came a distant third, sought to overcome criticism of his qualifications to lead City Hall. His past includes stints as a radio host and founder of the beret-wearing Guardian Angels anti-crime vigilante group.
Here are four memorable moments from the 95-minute debate.
“Trump puppet” or “Mayor Trump?”
President Donald Trump, a native of Queens, has cast a shadow over the entire mayoral race. Earlier, he intervened to get Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption case dismissed, in return for Adams’ help with immigration enforcement. Mr. Adams has denied there was any quid pro quo, but the New York Democratic Party portrays Mr. Adams as someone who compromised with the president. Adams ultimately withdrew from the race with his prospects for re-election bleak.
President Trump has cut federal funding and conducted raids in this immigrant-heavy city, including one just recently.
Both Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Mamdani have expressed a willingness to stand up to Mr. Trump.
Mamdani called Cuomo “Trump’s puppet.” Trump has said Cuomo has no chance of defeating Mamdani, and billionaire donors to Trump are opening their wallets to support him.
“(Trump) wants Andrew Cuomo to be mayor,” Mamdani said. “Not because it’s good for New Yorkers, but because it’s good for him.”
Mr. Cuomo hit back at Mr. Mamdani, whom President Trump called a communist who would be willing to be deported. “Certainly, that would be President Trump and Mayor Trump,” Cuomo said. “He will come and conquer the city.”
Sliwa, the Republican candidate, said every chest-bumping attempt would lead to Trump winning.
“How is it different from regular politics?”
Mamdani has sought to portray himself as a next-generation candidate.
But Spectrum News veteran political anchor and host Errol Lewis said Mamdani could not say how he would change the governance structure of the nation’s largest school district, which is currently controlled by the mayor. “How is this different from regular politics?” Louis asked.
Mamdani struggled to take a stance on the proposals backed by New Yorkers’ votes, related to how the city would build the new affordable housing units it so desperately needs.
“Zorran, what is your opinion?” Sliwa asked. Mr. Cuomo later interjected, saying, “I’d like you to answer my question once.”
“I have no position on voting measures,” Mamdani said with a laugh.
“It’s your experience that matters.”
Mr. Cuomo has touted his decades-long political career as he seeks a return. During his three terms as governor, and before that as secretary of housing and urban development under former President Bill Clinton, Cuomo has touted his accomplishments as a builder of subways, bridges and homes.
He resigned after serving three terms as governor due to sexual harassment allegations by more than a dozen women and impending impeachment by Democratic lawmakers. He has faced intense criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s your experience that matters,” Mamdani says.
Mamdani has previously criticized Cuomo. above He said the number of homeless people increased while he was governor. Mr. Cuomo countered that homelessness has doubled since he left office.
“Andrew, you didn’t leave,” Sliwa said. “You ran away.”
“Please don’t stare at me here, Zoran.”
Katie Honan, a reporter and host for the New York news outlet The City, asked how candidates rank the candidates in terms of their priorities.
Mamdani said he would rank himself first, followed by Sliwa.
“Oh, please don’t stare at me here, Zoran,” Sliwa said, eliciting a thunderous laugh from Mamdani. Mr. Cuomo said he would vote only for himself.
Mr. Cuomo and a strange mix of allies are trying to force Mr. Sliwa out of the race in the closing stages. Some recent polls suggest that if Sliwa is out of the race, Cuomo will break into a double-digit lead over Mamdani. However, Sliwa says he has no plans to drop out.
Even if they did, Mr. Sliwa and Mayor Adams would still appear on the ballot. Adams had not yet endorsed the race.
After the debate, Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Adams appeared together from courtside during the second half of the New York Knicks’ home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just over a month ago, Mr. Adams called Mr. Cuomo a “liar and a snake.”
Earlier in the night, Mr. Cuomo began the debate by rooting for his hometown team.
“I hope we get an update on the score,” he said.
The Knicks won.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).
