The race for New York City’s highest office has reached its most intense stage as the three leading candidates — Zohran Mamdani (Democrat), Andrew Cuomo (Independent), and Curtis Sliwa (Republican) — faced off in a heated final debate ahead of the November 4 election.
Held at the CUNY Graduate Center in Midtown Manhattan, the debate featured sharp exchanges on crime, housing affordability, public transit, and the city’s economic future. Each candidate aimed to define their vision for post-pandemic recovery and distinguish themselves in a crowded political atmosphere that has kept voters highly divided.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and state assemblyman from Queens, emphasized progressive reforms, promising to tackle income inequality and redirect city funds toward social programs and affordable housing. “We need a city that serves everyone — not just the wealthy few,” Mamdani declared.
Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent after years as New York’s governor, focused on leadership experience and infrastructure. He accused both opponents of lacking a pragmatic plan for managing the city’s budget and revitalizing small businesses. “New York needs competence, not slogans,” Cuomo said, highlighting his record on major construction and transportation projects.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican contender and founder of the Guardian Angels, pushed a tough-on-crime message, calling for an expansion of NYPD presence and a return to stricter law enforcement policies. “Safety is the foundation of prosperity,” Sliwa told the audience, earning applause from law-and-order advocates.
Throughout the debate, moderators pressed the candidates on their approaches to homelessness, migrant housing, and education. The exchanges were often tense — at one point, Cuomo and Mamdani clashed over policing policy, while Sliwa accused both rivals of being “soft on public order.”
Early voting in New York City begins next week, with all three campaigns intensifying outreach efforts in key boroughs. Analysts predict a close race, as voter turnout and independent voters are expected to play a decisive role in determining the city’s next mayor.
