New Yorkers, because the first mayoral debate of the general election just turned the Big Apple into a political battleground! On Thursday, at 7 p.m., three contenders squared off at 30 Rockefeller Center studios, promising a clash that could rival any Broadway drama.
The debate, hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU, and Politico New York, featured Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Andrew Cuomo, each vying to sway undecided voters in a race where polls show a tight contest despite Mamdani’s lead.
The New York Post reported that Zohran Mamdani, a Queens lawmaker and self-described socialist, has held a double-digit advantage since clinching the Democratic nomination in June 2025.
Despite his 46% support in a recent Quinnipiac University poll, he hasn’t cracked the 50% mark. That leaves room for challengers to chip away at his progressive armor.
Enter Andrew Cuomo, the former governor who resigned in 2021 amid a storm of scandals, now running as an independent with 33% in the polls.
His support ticked up after Mayor Eric Adams dropped his re-election bid last month, giving Cuomo a shot at redemption. But can he convince voters he’s more than a political relic?
Pundits predict Cuomo will come out swinging, targeting Mamdani’s controversial stances, like his pro-prostitution views and a questionable photo from July 2025 with Rebecca Kadaga, a Ugandan official known for anti-LBGTQ policies.
It’s a risky play—Cuomo must avoid looking like a bully while appealing to the 14% of undecided voters. Overplaying his hand could turn off more folks than it wins over.
“Cuomo will be working feverishly to throw Mamdani off balance and expose him as the radical he says he is,” said Andrew Kirtzman, a longtime communications strategist. Let’s be honest, though—labeling someone a “radical” in a city as diverse as New York often falls flat unless the evidence is ironclad. Cuomo’s got to bring receipts, not just rhetoric.
Then there’s Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee with 15% in the polls, a radio host known for snappy one-liners that could steal the spotlight.
Speculation is rife that Sliwa and Cuomo might—intentionally or not—team up to put Mamdani on the defensive. Imagine that duo ganging up; it’s the kind of political theater New Yorkers secretly crave.
The debate’s first hour aired on cable via NBC and Telemundo, before shifting to NBC’s digital streaming service at 8 p.m., with Politico and the Campaign Finance Board also streaming the full event. For those who missed the live action, a second debate is slated for October 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. on NY1. Mark your calendars—this race isn’t over yet.
Polls aside, Mamdani’s resilience shouldn’t be underestimated; he’s dodged major stumbles so far. As Kirtzman also noted, “I have yet to see Mamdani get tripped up on anything significant this campaign — he’s phenomenally fast on his feet.”
That’s a compliment even skeptics of his progressive agenda can’t ignore, though his policies still raise eyebrows for many traditional voters.
Cuomo’s strategy likely hinges on painting Mamdani as out of touch with mainstream values, especially on hot-button issues.
But if the attacks feel like cheap shots, they could backfire, making Cuomo seem desperate rather than determined. It’s a tightrope walk for a man already burdened by his own baggage.
Sliwa, meanwhile, could play spoiler with his knack for memorable quips, potentially cutting through the noise of policy debates.
His underdog status might just make him the wildcard that keeps viewers glued to their screens. After all, who doesn’t love a good zinger in a city that thrives on sharp wit?
Yet, don’t expect miracles from this debate in terms of poll shifts. Experts remain skeptical that voter impressions, already fairly set, will budge much. It’s less about changing minds and more about reinforcing existing biases on all sides.
Still, the stakes feel high with so many undecided voters up for grabs in a race this close. While Mamdani leads, his inability to hit a majority suggests cracks that opponents could exploit if they play their cards right. The question is whether Cuomo or Sliwa can capitalize without alienating moderates.
