New York City, October 17, 2025 – In a fiery debate at NBC Studios on October 16, Democratic nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani took aim at independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, challenging his integrity and past policies while outlining a progressive vision for New York City’s future. Joined by Republican Curtis Sliwa, the candidates sparred over pressing issues including COVID-19 response, housing affordability, public transit, foreign policy, and resistance to federal overreach—just weeks ahead of the November 4 mayoral election.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblymember and current frontrunner with 52% support in recent polls, sharply criticized Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing him of prioritizing optics over lives.
“New Yorkers deserve leadership that owns its mistakes, not deflects them,” Mamdani said, referencing reports of underreported nursing home deaths under Cuomo’s administration.
He also faulted Cuomo for failing to engage with Muslim communities, describing it as a significant gap in leadership during divisive times.
The Democratic nominee defended his ambitious policy agenda, which includes free public buses funded by a $9 billion tax on the ultra-wealthy and stronger rent protections to address the city’s housing crisis.
“We can make New York a city for everyone—not just the elite,” Mamdani declared, framing his platform as a direct challenge to systemic inequality.
Cuomo, the former three-term governor now running as an independent, leaned heavily on his executive experience, touting his record in crisis management, including his response to Superstorm Sandy. He deflected Mamdani’s attacks by emphasizing that his leadership brought stability and infrastructure progress to the city.
“Experience matters when you’re running a city of eight million,” Cuomo said, casting himself as the pragmatic choice amid economic uncertainty.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, echoed some of Mamdani’s critiques of Cuomo but pivoted sharply to emphasize public safety. Sliwa called for increased funding for law enforcement to combat rising crime rates—a stance that contrasted with Mamdani’s focus on social investment.
“New Yorkers want to feel safe walking home at night,” Sliwa said, appealing to voters anxious about crime.
The debate, moderated by NBC’s Melissa Russo, also featured tense exchanges on federal overreach. Mamdani advocated for greater local autonomy in housing and transit policy, while Cuomo stressed the importance of collaboration with federal agencies. Foreign policy, a rare topic in mayoral debates, surfaced briefly, with Mamdani promoting community-based diplomacy and Cuomo citing his global connections as an asset.
With Mamdani holding a strong lead, the debate underscored both his momentum and the stark ideological divides among the candidates. As Election Day approaches, New Yorkers face a pivotal choice between Mamdani’s progressive vision, Cuomo’s establishment experience, and Sliwa’s law-and-order platform—a decision that will shape the city’s path on affordability, safety, and resilience in the post-pandemic era.
