During Wednesday night’s mayoral debate in New York City, candidates Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo engaged in a fiery exchange, with both attacking each other over past misconduct allegations. The event drew significant attention as the race for mayor intensifies, with each candidate using the platform to highlight their opponents’ flaws and past controversies. Curtis Sliwa, the GOP candidate, also joined the debate, criticizing Cuomo over his handling of the pandemic and his alleged flight from an impeachment inquiry.
Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist running on a platform of progressive policies, focused his criticisms on Cuomo over the former governor’s sexual harassment allegations, which led to his resignation in 2021. Mamdani highlighted the financial cost of Cuomo’s defense, noting that the former governor spent over $20 million in public funds to fight the allegations. He also criticized Cuomo’s policies, including his approach to the pandemic, and accused him of failing to engage with Muslim constituents until under pressure from his campaign.
Meanwhile, Cuomo turned the focus back on Mamdani, attacking him over alleged radical ties and his past associations with controversial figures. He pointed to Mamdani’s photo with Ugandan lawmakers and a Muslim cleric linked to the ‘9/11’ attack mastermind, as well as his anti-Israel comments. Cuomo accused Mamdani of being a divisive force in New York, with his actions supposedly harming the Italian-American and Jewish communities. Mamdani, in response, defended his platform, stating his commitment to human rights and the LGBTQ+ community, while also dismissing Cuomo’s lack of experience and policies in running for office.
Sliwa, the Republican candidate, also weighed in on the debate, accusing Cuomo of fleeing his post amid an impeachment inquiry. His remarks drew applause from the audience, highlighting the personal attacks that define the race for mayor. The debate underscored the intense nature of the political battle, with candidates leveraging past controversies to shape public perception. As the election approaches, the focus will likely continue to center on the candidates’ past actions and their visions for New York City’s future.