On Oct. 22, New York City’s mayoral candidates met at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Queens for their final debate ahead of the election on Nov. 4. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo faced off in a 90-minute exchange that touched on housing, crime and city leadership.
Mamdani, who currently leads in the three-way race, defended his plans to freeze rents and expand affordable housing, calling the city “a museum of where working-class people used to be able to live.” He also reaffirmed his support for closing Rikers Island by 2027, describing it as a “stain on the history” of New York.
Cuomo and Mamdani disagreed in several areas, including the city’s approach to Rikers Island and other public safety policies. Beyond policy differences, Cuomo spent much of the debate questioning Mamdani’s readiness to lead, citing his limited management experience and legislative record.
“You have never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything,” Cuomo said to Mamdani.
Cuomo outlined his plans to address city challenges, including enhancing public safety, investing in infrastructure and promoting economic development. Though, the discussion took a personal turn when Mamdani confronted him over past allegations of sexual harassment.
Mamdani pointed out that one of Cuomo’s twelve accusers, Charlotte Bennett, was present in the audience, bringing attention to the accusations that led to Cuomo’s resignation as governor in 2021.
In 2024, Cuomo sued Charlotte Bennett for defamation over her public statements about his alleged sexual harassment. Mamdani referenced the lawsuit during the debate, stating, “You sought to access her private gynecological records. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her. I, however, can speak.”
He then asked, “What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed?” Cuomo responded that “everything you [Mamdani] just stated, you just said, was a misstatement — which we’re accustomed to.”
As the debate commenced, Sliwa seized the opportunity to critique both opponents. He accused Cuomo of fleeing impeachment rather than resigning, stating “You [Cuomo] didn’t leave, you fled from being impeached by the Democrats in the state Legislature.” Similarly, he criticized Mamdani’s readiness to lead, saying “Zohran, your résumé could fit on a cocktail napkin.”
The candidates had previously clashed during the first general election debate on Oct. 16. Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa engaged in a heated exchange centering on issues similar to this debate, with similar arguments.
Cuomo made a point to criticize Mamdani’s lack of experience stating once again, “He literally has never had a job,” while Mamdani countered by spotlighting Cuomo’s controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his resignation amid allegations. Sliwa positioned himself as an alternative option, attacking both opponents for their policies and leadership records.
Mamdani currently maintains a double-digit lead in the race for New York City Mayor. The AARP/Gotham Polling poll shows Mamdani at 43.2%, with Cuomo at 28.9% and Sliwa trailing at 19.4%.
Early voting in New York City begins Oct. 25, and runs through to Nov. 2 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.
