NYC mayoral candidates spar over Israel, money, Trump

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, Independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa faced off on Thursday night in a heated debate at New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The two-hour debate was the first during this year’s mayoral race. The candidates are scheduled to debate again on Oct. 22, according to NYC Votes.

Cuomo and Sliwa pressed Mamdani throughout the debate on his lack of experience and extreme positions. Cuomo took heat from both his opponents about his past record as governor of New York, particularly his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mamdani also repeatedly brought up Cuomo’s resignation after sexual harassment claims surfaced, as well as the high legal bills he paid during the case. Sliwa, who trails the other two in polls, was sometimes quiet while they sparred.

What were some key takeaways from the debate?

• Mamdani, for the first time, said that Hamas terrorists should lay down their arms as part of an agreement to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. But Cuomo highlighted Mamdani’s past hesitance to condemn calls for a global uprising against Israel, and Sliwa said Jews couldn’t trust him to defend them from anti-Semitism.

• Mamdani also walked back previous comments about defunding the police. He would work with them, he said. He also said that he’d send teams of mental health workers to subway stations known for homelessness.

• Mamdani didn’t clearly explain how he’d fund his plans to make city buses free and freeze increases on rent-controlled apartments.

• All three were asked about how they’d relate to President Donald Trump as mayor. Mamdani said he’d resist Trump but could work with him on affordability projects. Cuomo made similar comments and said Trump would take over the city if Mamdani won. Sliwa argued that taking a contentious approach to the president would hurt the city. All three said they would oppose the deployment of National Guard troops in the city.

• Sliwa said Cuomo allowed the parole board to release dangerous criminals during his time as governor. He cast both Cuomo and Mamdani as soft on crime.

• Mamdani did not explicitly endorse Gov. Kathy Hochul’s re-election run, although she endorsed him for mayor. He said he appreciated her work but was focusing on his own race.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Cuomo’s apology for some of his COVID-19 policies as governor.