NYC Mayoral Debate—How to Watch Candidates Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa Tonight
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NYC Mayoral Candidates Face Off in First 2025 Debate
Above: Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Zohran Mamdani at the first NYC mayoral debate on Oct. 16, 2025. Image copyright: Angelina Katsanis/AP Photo/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Zohran Mamdani emerged as the clear winner of Thursday’s debate, staying calm, focused on affordability, and avoiding major missteps. Cuomo struggled to land any knockout blows, appearing clinical and off-balance, while Sliwa brought bravado but failed to gain traction. Mamdani also moderated his hard-left positions, emphasizing his readiness to work with businesses. This performance, centered on affordability and cost-of-living issues that matter most to New Yorkers, likely solidifies his double-digit lead and maintains his front-runner status.
Andrew Cuomo dominated the NYC mayoral debate with practical solutions and authentic leadership while exposing Zohran Mamdani as a fake politician. Mamdani's practiced smile and constant disavowals of his radical past prove he's an untrustworthy actor whose economic policies make zero sense. Cuomo showed he has his mojo back and deserves to be mayor. Silwa now just needs to drop out, or he risks handing the mayor’s office to a smug, deceitful opportunist who will economically ruin New York.
Thursday’s NYC mayoral debate was a disaster for the city. Voters faced a former governor ousted over scandal, a radical nepo candidate with no experience who despises the police and courts terrorists, and an underdog who cares but has no path to victory. No real leadership was on display, leaving concerned New Yorkers with little reason for optimism.
Zohran Mamdani is surging because he’s breaking out of the Left-wing echo chamber, connecting with Americans tired of the Democrats’ reflexive anti-Trump posture. While the party is trapped reacting to opposition instead of offering a vision, Mamdani focuses on real issues that resonate beyond the base, proving that bold ideas and confidence can reach voters hungry for solutions and leadership, not just resistance.
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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.17.0