New York City’s three mayoral candidates faced off Thursday night in the first of two televised debates, just weeks ahead of the election. On stage were Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who withdrew from the race earlier, was absent.

The two-hour debate featured heated exchanges on issues including crime, policing, housing, affordability, the Gaza ceasefire, and how each candidate would engage with the Trump administration if elected.

The debate quickly turned combative between frontrunners Mamdani and Cuomo. Cuomo, the former governor attempting a political comeback after his 2021 resignation over sexual harassment allegations, dismissed Mamdani as unqualified. "This is no job for on-the-job training," Cuomo said, pointing to his opponent’s lack of executive experience.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman from Queens and self-described democratic socialist, defended his record. “What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity, and what you don’t have in integrity, you could never make up for in experience,” he said, highlighting his legislative work and lived experience in the city.

Cuomo was later pressed about the allegations that led to his resignation and his pandemic-era handling of nursing home deaths. He denied wrongdoing, saying “none of that came to anything.”

Gaza ceasefire and Trump policies fuel tense exchanges

The recent Gaza ceasefire deal surfaced as a flashpoint. Mamdani, known for his outspoken support of Palestinian rights, was asked about his stance on the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas. "Of course, I believe that they should lay down their arms," Mamdani responded. "A ceasefire means ceasing fire... not only for the end of the genocide, but also for unimpeded humanitarian aid."

Cuomo accused Mamdani of refusing to directly denounce Hamas and called his language "coded." Mamdani retorted by accusing Cuomo of acting like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “legal defense team during the course of this genocide.”

Mamdani also addressed concerns over past remarks, including his use of the phrase "globalize the intifada," and emphasized his intent to unite New Yorkers across faiths and backgrounds. "They understand they won’t just be protected, but they will belong," he said. Both Cuomo and Sliwa praised the Trump administration for its role in brokering the ceasefire deal, comparing it favorably to similar efforts by Biden.

Crime, policing, and public safety dominate the stage

Crime and policing were major points of disagreement. Mamdani acknowledged his past calls to defund the NYPD during the 2020 protests but clarified that his position has changed. "I’m looking to work with police officers," he said, proposing a new Department of Community Safety to handle mental health emergencies.

Cuomo pledged to hire 5,000 new officers and deploy 1,500 to the subway system, while Sliwa called for hiring 7,000 and reinstating qualified immunity.

Sliwa also targeted both rivals, mocking Cuomo’s primary loss and calling Mamdani’s proposals "fantasies." Affordability emerged as a key theme, with candidates asked how much they spend weekly on groceries: Mamdani said $125, Cuomo $150, and Sliwa $175.

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Mamdani used the moment to reiterate his core campaign promise: tackling the cost of living in New York City, proposing rent freezes on rent-stabilized units, increased taxes on the wealthy, and expanded affordable housing. "I just have to say it’s been an hour and 20 minutes of this debate, and we haven’t heard Governor Cuomo say the word ‘affordability’. That’s why he lost the primary," Mamdani said.

Cuomo did not directly respond but insisted he would prioritize public safety and economic stability.

A recent poll placed Mamdani in the lead with 46% of likely voters, followed by Cuomo at 33% and Sliwa at 15%. The final New York City mayoral debate is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, with early voting running from October 25 through November 2.