In the tense final debate before early voting begins, New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa faced off over critical issues such as anti-Israel rhetoric, immigration policy, and police reform. The debate, held at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, was marked by heated exchanges, particularly regarding Mamdani’s past comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Billionaires and religious leaders have called on Sliwa to withdraw from the race to consolidate support for Cuomo, but the Republican nominee has remained resolute. Mamdani, currently leading in polls, is under intense scrutiny from both political figures and religious leaders. The debate highlighted the high stakes for New York City’s residents as the election approaches.
Mamdanis anti-Israel rhetoric has been a focal point during the campaign, with over 650 rabbis nationwide, including those from the largest New York synagogues, signing an open letter condemning him for what they called anti-Israel comments. In response, Mamdani affirmed his commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers and stated he would discourage others from using the slogan ‘globalize the intifada,’ which refers to ‘kill Jews.’ Cuomo, while critiquing Mamdani’s views, emphasized the need for a leader who takes antisemitism seriously, rather than weaponizing it as a political tool. During the debate, Sliwa accused Mamdani of being in support of a ‘global jihad,’ a claim Mamdani denied, asserting he has never supported such a cause.
The debate also touched on the recent federal raid in New York City’s Chinatown, where nine migrants from West Africa were arrested. While all three candidates acknowledged that the Trump administration was beyond its jurisdiction, Cuomo accused the Trump administration of conducting a ‘dangerous’ operation without coordination with local police. Mamdani, however, took a stronger stance, criticizing ICE as ‘reckless’ and advocating for a ‘rejection’ of its collaboration with City Hall, which he associated with Mayor Eric Adams’ past policies. The debate further included confrontations, with Cuomo asking Mamdani about his photo with an anti-LGBTQ advocate. Mamdani responded by questioning Cuomo about the allegations of sexual harassment, a topic that continues to draw public attention.
Despite the criticisms, Mamdani maintains a significant lead in the polls, with recent surveys showing his support at 49%, compared to 28% for Cuomo and 13% for Sliwa. However, the political landscape is shifting, with Trump labeling Mamdani a ‘100% Communist Lunatic’ and ‘my little Communist,’ a title Mamdani denies. The election is taking place at a crucial time for Democrats, who are still recovering from losses in the previous year. Meanwhile, Republicans are already capitalizing on Mamdani’s progressive policies, with Rep. Elise Stefanik suggesting that a vote for Mamdani could lead to significant political risks. The debate underscored the intense competition for the city’s residents and the high stakes of the upcoming election.