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The three candidates running for mayor of New York City faced off in a crucial final debate before the November 4 election Wednesday night. Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa clashed on stage for a second and final time. Early voting begins on Saturday, October 25. Newsweek writers declare who they think won the debate—and you can have your say in our comment form and poll below.
Jonathan Tobin—Zohran Mamdani
Democratic socialist candidate for mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani went into the last debate before Election Day with two main assets. And they’re why he won it. One is named Andrew Cuomo, and the other is Curtis Sliwa. The former governor of New York is the most plausible alternative to a radical socialist who has fanned the flames of antisemitism with his support for Israel’s eradication and would tank its economy. But Cuomo is burdened by a record that includes his resigning in disgrace because of sexual-harassment allegations and the fact that he has been around city politics for decades, which presents a strong contrast to a fresh face like Mamdani. Sliwa, the longtime Guardian Angels head, is a perennial gadfly that few New Yorkers take seriously as a future mayor and his continued presence in the race guarantees that Mamdani’s opponents remain split.
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Virtually everything that happened in the debate reinforced these factors that are allowing an otherwise inexperienced ideologue to cruise to victory. Cuomo was authoritative in his arguments but sounded like a relic from the past. As in their previous debate, Sliwa’s willingness to cheerfully bash Cuomo as well as Mamdani makes it more likely that he will be the recipient of protest votes from those who think the Democratic nominee can’t be stopped by the former governor. Mamdani did not make the case for his extremist policies, but nothing said in the debate seems likely to derail his path to Gracie Mansion.
Jonathan Tobin is editor-in-chief, JNS.org.
Faisal Kutty—Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani clearly won tonight by keeping his focus on affordability, housing and local issues, while Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa leaned on anti-Muslim tropes instead of offering solutions. Cuomo’s claim that Mamdani “stokes hatred against Jewish people” and opposes gay rights backfired when Mamdani calmly replied that he has never spoken “in support of global jihad” and believes in human rights for all. He also reminded Cuomo of the sexual-harassment allegations that ended his governorship, drawing one of the debate’s strongest reactions. Through it all, Mamdani stayed on message—speaking of rent relief, safety, transport and dignity for working New Yorkers. The moderators were fair, but the race’s tone has curdled. In contrast to his rivals’ cynicism, Mamdani projected composure, compassion and a hopeful vision of leadership grounded in justice.
Faisal Kutty is a lawyer and academic.
Tom Rogers—Zohran Mamdani
The debate was well run. The candidates aired their respective viewpoints but no surprises. And that is the problem for Andrew Cuomo - to change the outcome he needed to come in with some massive surprise, that would make enormous breakout headlines, and awaken a surge in turnout of more independent centrist voters who can't believe Mamdani is about to be elected mayor. That did not happen. So Mamdani will be elected mayor. And he clinched it with the real surprise news of the debate indicating he would ask Jessica Tisch to stay on as Police Commissioner.
Tom Rogers is Editor-at-Large for Newsweek.
Nina Turner—"The People"
Tonight’s NYC Mayoral debate made one thing clear: the people won.
New Yorkers are tired of leaders who serve the ultra-wealthy while working people suffer. Zohran Mamdani spoke truth, lifting up Charlotte Bennett, one of at least 13 women who credibly accused Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, as a reminder of what’s at stake.
Cuomo is a disgraced former governor who still can’t take “no” for an answer. But New Yorkers just gave him one. Loud and clear.
He will not be their mayor.
Nina Turner is a former Ohio state senator and senior fellow at The Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School.
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