NEW YORK − Who’s going to rule the Big Apple? Three men with aims to do so battled it out Oct. 22 in their final debate before New Yorkers will cast ballots in the Nov. 4 mayoral election.
In a lively Oct. 22 Spectrum News NY1 debate, Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker, sought to portray himself as mayoral material ahead of Election Day. He stood between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani, who decried his two opponents as relics of the city’s old politics, struggled to take a stand on issues key to housing and schools.
Cuomo, 67, and Sliwa, 71, made last-minute efforts to characterize Mamdani as inexperienced and overly idealistic. They meanwhile attacked each other to shore up anti-Mamdani votes, particularly those opposed to his views on Israel and its treatment of Palestinians.
Cuomo, polling in second, tried to account for his past, including resigning as governor. Sliwa, a distant third, sought to overcome critiques on his credentials to lead City Hall. His past includes stints as a radio host and beret-wearing Guardian Angels anti-crime vigilante group founder.
Here are four memorable moments from the 95-minute debate:
‘Trump’s puppet’ or ‘Mayor Trump?’
President Donald Trump, a Queens native, has loomed throughout the mayor’s race. Earlier, he intervened to drop Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption case, in exchange for Adams cooperating on immigration enforcement. While Adams denied any quid pro quo took place, New York Democrats have portrayed Adams as compromised by the president. Adams eventually exited the race facing dim reelection prospects.
Trump has cut federal funds and conducted raids in the heavily immigrant city, including one just a day earlier.
Both Cuomo and Mamdani signaled they would stand up to Trump.
Mamdani called Cuomo “Trump’s puppet.” Trump has said Cuomo would stand a chance against beating Mamdani, and billionaires who donated to Trump have opened their wallets to support Cuomo.
“[Trump] wants Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor,” Mamdani said. “Not because it will be good for New Yorkers, but because it will be good for him.”
Cuomo shot back at Mamdani, who Trump has called a communist he’d be open to deporting. “Make no mistake, it will be President Trump and Mayor Trump,” Cuomo said. “He will come in and take over the city.”
Sliwa, the GOP candidate, said their attempts at chest-bumping would result in Trump winning every time.
‘How is that different from politics as usual?’
Mamdani has sought to portray himself as a next-generation candidate.
But moderator Errol Louis, the veteran Spectrum News political anchor, said Mamdani failed to address how he would change the governing structure of the nation’s largest school district, which is currently controlled by the mayor. “How is that different from politics as usual?” Louis asked.
Mamdani struggled to take a stance on proposals on the back of New Yorkers’ ballots – related to how the city should build critically needed new affordable housing units.
“What is your opinion, Zohran?” Sliwa asked. “Answer the question for once,” Cuomo later chimed in.
“I have not taken a position on those ballot measures,” Mamdani said, grinning.
’The issue is your experience’
Cuomo has touted his decades-long career in politics in his attempted comeback. Over his three terms as governor, and before that as Housing and Urban Development secretary under former President Bill Clinton, Cuomo has emphasized his achievements as a builder of subways, bridges and housing.
He resigned after three terms as governor over sexual harassment allegations by more than a dozen women, and an impending impeachment from fellow Democratic lawmakers. He’s faced heavy criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The issue is your experience,” Mamdani said.
Earlier, Mamdani critiqued Cuomo on homelessness, saying it rose while he was governor. Cuomo retorted that homelessness doubled after he left office.
“Andrew, you didn’t leave,” Sliwa said. “You fled.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (left) and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo pose for a photo during the fourth quarter of an opening night game of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Cuomo had his final debate for New York City mayor moments earlier on Oct. 22, 2025.
‘Don’t be glazing me here, Zohran’
Moderator Katie Honan, a reporter at the New York news outlet The CITY, asked how the candidates would rank their opponents in order of preference.
Mamdani said he’d rank himself first, then Sliwa.
“Oh please, don’t be glazing me here, Zohran,” Sliwa said to thunderous laughs, including from Mamdani. Cuomo said he’d only vote for himself.
Cuomo and an odd mix of allies have sought to push Sliwa out of the race in the closing days. Some recent polls show, with Sliwa out of the race, Cuomo would cut into Mamdani’s double-digit lead. But Sliwa says he’s not going to drop out.
And even if he did, both Sliwa and Mayor Adams will still appear on the ballot. Adams had yet to endorse in the race.
After the debate, Cuomo and Adams appeared together, court side, in the second half of the New York Knicks home opener, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just over a month ago, Adams had called Cuomo a “liar and a snake.”
Earlier in the night, Cuomo began the debate by cheering on the hometown team.
“I hope we get an update on the score,” he said.
The Knicks won.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mamdani, Cuomo, Sliwa trade blows in NYC mayor’s debate
