As the clock ticked down to Election Day, New York City’s mayoral race kicked into high gear. On Thursday night, three prominent candidates—Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa—took the stage for their first general election debate, offering a glimpse into their visions for the city’s future. The event, hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC and Telemundo 47/WNJU, in partnership with Politico, became a battleground of policies and personal attacks, with supporters outside 30 Rock voicing their own passionate take on the candidates’ merits.
Inside the debate hall, the candidates outlined their plans to tackle pressing urban issues. Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, made a case for affordable housing and equitable city services, while Cuomo emphasized his experience in governing and the need for fiscal responsibility. Sliwa, the Republican nominee, called for stricter law enforcement and a focus on public safety. The debate, however, was more than just a policy discussion—it was a political showdown that reflected the city’s deeper divisions.
Outside the venue, the energy was equally intense. Supporters lined 50th Street, waving campaign signs and shouting slogans, each side convinced that their favorite candidate had the best plan for the city. “He’s very experienced,” said Emily, a Cuomo supporter from Brooklyn. “I feel that he’s going to keep our city safe and that he is going to keep small businesses alive and that he just has the right amount of experience for the job.”
Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani’s supporters, like Pedro Francisco of the Service Employees International Union, defended his platform of affordability and equity. “The reason I support Zohran Mamdani is because he’s a make-it-make-sense politician,” Francisco said. “He really understands what this city needs. The city needs to be affordable for all of us.” The debate, and the fervent crowd outside, highlighted the high stakes of a race that could reshape the governance of New York City.