Live from New York: It's mayoral debate night.
The three leading candidates for New York City mayor took the stage at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan Thursday night to make a case to lead America's biggest city.
Early voting in the race is set to begin next week, and the most recent polling suggests Zohran Mamdani has widened his lead to 46 percent, while Andrew Cuomo stands at 33 percent.
The outcome of the race could have political implications beyond the Empire State as President Donald Trump looms large, and whoever wins will likely face pressure from Washington in some form.
The Democratic Party nationally also is likely watching to see if America's biggest Democratic stronghold chooses an establishment, centrist Cuomo, who is running as an independent, or the progressive Mamdani. The winner could help determine the kind of candidate and platform Democrats choose in the future following their staggering 2024 loss to Trump.
Republicans will also watch to see if their candidate, Curtis Sliwa, continues to make inroads with his public safety platform.
Here are five big takeaways from tonight's debate.
Mamdani addresses his support for Palestinians
Mamdani's past statements on Israel and Palestinians came up several times during the night in questions from moderators and opponents' criticisms. The candidate has stressed his support for Palestinians and statehood, criticizing Israel's military operation in Gaza. He faced criticism for refusing to condemn the phrase globalise the intifada, but emphasized his commitment to serving all New Yorkers, including its diverse Jewish population.
Cuomo attacked Mamdani for his views, labeling him a divisive personality across the board.
The fourth man: Donald Trump
Although there were three candidates at tonight's debate, another name kept coming up: Donald Trump. President Trump has implied he wants to send National Guard into cities controlled by Democrats in defiance and threatens New York City's federal funding. Sliwa suggested the mayor must work with Trump despite differing views, while Mamdani emphasized his opposition from the outset, promising to take on Trump. Cuomo claimed to be the only candidate prepared to manage relations with the Biden administration, stating, It will be Mayor Trump if Mamdani is elected.
Affordability front and center
The biggest policy issue during this mayoral election is affordability. New Yorkers are struggling with high costs of living, particularly rent and groceries. Each candidate shared their experiences with costs, proposing varied solutions. Mamdani called for free buses, while Cuomo sought to implement income limits for rent-stabilized apartments. Sliwa proposed utilizing vacant NYCHA apartments to ease housing shortages. The conversation revealed stark contrasts in perspectives on addressing these critical challenges.
Cuomo's controversies still loom
Cuomo brought extensive experience to the debate, boasting a long career in public office. However, his controversies—stemming from sexual harassment allegations and his handling of COVID-19 nursing homes—shadowed his campaign. Mamdani openly challenged Cuomo on these points, accusing him of having no integrity. Cuomo blocked these accusations, stating investigations cleared him of wrongdoing and highlighting the broader challenges faced during the pandemic.
Curtis Sliwa makes his mark
As the lone Republican candidate, Sliwa consistently connected with voters on public safety issues, leveraging his experience as founder of the Guardian Angels. His assertive style helped him dominate the dialogue, as he sought to differentiate his vision from both opponents, claiming his performance in the debate was extraordinarily well.
