Top Takeaways from the First NYC Mayoral Debate

Candidates running for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City faced off for the first time on the debate stage just ahead of the start of early voting next week.

Nine candidates answered questions during a chaotic two-hour debate in which they often took aim at each other, particularly the front-runner, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The candidates often dodged direct answers to moderators’ questions and instead jostled with each other.

Here are five takeaways from the night:

Knives out for Cuomo

From the first question of the night, candidates took shots at Cuomo, who has been the clear leader in the race since before he even entered in March.

Attacks on Cuomo most commonly came from state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, who has risen over the past several weeks to become the top opponent to Cuomo, and city Comptroller Brad Lander, who has been part of the higher tier of candidates.

Both candidates took an opportunity to go after Cuomo in the first response about actions they would take to increase affordability. Lander tied together embattled Mayor Eric Adams and Cuomo, arguing that he’s the only candidate who can “sweep away the corruption.”

Mamdani accused Cuomo of caring more about billionaires and corporations than New Yorkers, also later reiterating past attacks he’s made accusing Cuomo of being funded by donors to President Trump. Some of the donors to a super PAC backing Cuomo have also donated to Trump.

Cuomo was in the hot seat on several other occasions, such as when City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams accused him of cutting Medicaid and former state Assembly member Michael Blake went after him over the allegations of sexual harassment that have been made against him.

Cuomo rejected their accusations, noting that Medicaid spending increased while he was governor and that the district attorneys in the city ultimately declined to pursue any charges against him over the sexual harassment allegations.

The former governor generally maintained his composure as he parried the attacks, even as he took more hits than any other candidate on stage.

Crowded stage leads to chaos

Nine people were packed onto the stage Wednesday night — and every one of them tried to get a word in as much as possible.

New York City election regulations lay out two primary debates for the race, the second of which will take place next week. While the stage for the second debate will be limited to only “leading contenders,” the first debate allowed any candidate on the ballot who has both spent and raised at least $198,300.

Some of the candidates on the stage have received 1 percent or less in the polls. Yet no one candidate was given more than 30 seconds or a minute to respond to questions, and they were often interrupted by other candidates seeking to interject.

On multiple occasions, several candidates were attempting to respond to a question or comment and spoke over each other, leaving what they were saying unintelligible.

During a discussion on education, several candidates, including Cuomo and Mamdani, spoke over each other while discussing Obama.

In another instance, Blake accused Cuomo of supporting “defund the police,” which Cuomo denied. The two of them, along with state Sen. Jessica Ramos, spoke simultaneously as the moderators attempted to gain control of the conversation.

“Kids, it’s grown-up time,” former city Comptroller Scott Stringer said when it was his turn to talk.

Mamdani pressed over Israel

One contentious moment between Cuomo and Mamdani, the top two candidates in the race, came toward the end of the debate during a question about what country would be the first they visited if elected mayor.

A few off the candidates, including Cuomo, said Israel. Mamdani, meanwhile, said he wouldn’t travel and would focus on serving the city. A moderator followed up to ask specifically if he would visit Israel, and Mamdani responded that he would stand up for Jewish New Yorkers no matter where they are.

The moderator then pressed Mamdani, who has faced some attacks over his views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, if he supports a Jewish state of Israel. Mamdani responded that Israel has a right to exist “as a state with equal rights,” but avoided saying as a Jewish state.

“His answer was no. He won’t visit Israel,” Cuomo jumped in.

The exchange came after an interview that Mamdani did with CNN in which he reportedly was asked if he believes Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state but stuck to saying it has a right to exist “with equal rights.”

Candidates talk tough on Trump

President Trump cast a shadow over much of the debate, with his actions being part of the premise of several questions from the moderators.

The election is taking place amid the controversy surrounding Mayor Adams, whose bribery charges were dropped by the Justice Department under the Trump administration in what critics have alleged was a “quid pro quo.”

Candidates were unified in slamming many of Trump’s actions as an example of politically motivated overreach.

They agreed that the next mayor needs to be prepared to stand up to Trump but differed on who was best positioned to do it.

Cuomo and Stringer, who served as comptroller during Trump’s first term, both leaned on their experience serving with Trump in the White House, arguing it shows their ability to protect their constituents. Cuomo argued that the Justice Department’s reported investigation into him shows that he’s the candidate that Trump doesn’t want and took aim at Mamdani, arguing his lack of experience means he’s not up for the job.

Mamdani has served in the state Assembly for only a few years and faced questions over a relatively small number of bills he’s been able to get passed.

“I don’t think there’s any question that there’s any mayor here that will be free from being attacked by Donald Trump,” Mamdani said.

“What’s more important, however, is that we have a mayor who will actually fight back,” he continued. “That’s what I will do. I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare as a progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in.”

No clear winner

Wednesday’s event marked the first time in the Democratic primary that the candidates all faced off on the same stage, including Cuomo, who has skipped past candidate forums.

While several candidates sought to seize control of the debate, no one seemed to dominate the night. The candidates generally avoided any major blunders, outlined some of their policy proposals and got in a few solid attacks on their opponents.

The debate could be an opportunity for voters who haven’t paid close attention to the race to form opinions of some of the candidates. Polls have shown a declining percentage of voters undecided, but those who remain could be critical in which candidate ultimately prevails.

But the night didn’t reveal much information that wasn’t already publicly available. The next debate, in which the top-performing candidates face off, may prove to be more decisive.