Here Are The 4 Takeaways From The 1st NYC Mayoral Debate: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — The first mayoral general election debate took place on Thursday night and saw each candidate give answers on where they stand on some of the city's biggest issues.

Zohran Mamdani (Democrat) and Andrew Cuomo (Independent) spent most of the debate going back and forth trading blows, while Sliwa (Republican) found opportunities to make his pitch to voters while bashing the other candidates' records.

The three candidates spent time talking about their experience, dealing with President Trump, affordability in the city and their stance on Israel, among other issues.

Here are some takeaways from the mayoral debate on Thursday.

1. Mamdani vs. Cuomo

Mamdani and Cuomo went after each other throughout the debate. The former governor claimed Mamndami never had a "real job" and did not have the experience to be the mayor of New York City.

"This is not a job for a first-timer," Cuomo said.

The Democratic nominee fired back, saying that the former governor was not in tuned with some of the city's issues, like the affordability crisis, and took aim at his record as governor.

Mamdani, specifically brought up Cuomo’s handling of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and the sexual harassment allegations that led to him resigning from office.

“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for with integrity,” Mamdani said.

“And what you don’t have in integrity you could never make up for with experience,” he added.

Mamdani also brought up Cuomo's previous attacks over his rent-stabilized apartment in Queens and that the former governor said only working-class residents should qualify for rent-stabilized apartments.

“You’ve heard it from Andrew Cuomo that the No. 1 crisis in this city, the housing crisis. The answer is to evict my wife and I,” Mamdani said.

“He thinks you address this crisis by unleashing my landlord’s ability to raise my rent.”

“If you think that the problem in this city is that my rent is too low, vote for him. If you know the problem in this city is that your rent is too high, vote for me.”

2. Handling of Donald Trump

Cuomo took aim at Mamdani saying that if the assemblyman is elected, "Donald Trump will take over New York City, and it will be Mayor Trump."

Mamdani shot back, arguing that Cuomo failed to mention Trump's name when he issued a statement condemning the Department of Justice’s indictment of State Attorney General Letitia James. In addition, he accused the former governor of calling Trump to ask for help in the election.

While Cuomo claimed he would make Trump "back down," Sliwa had a memorable moment saying:

“The president is going to back down to you? I know you think you’re the toughest guy alive, but you lost your own primary,” Sliwa said.

All three candidates agreed that the National Guard was not needed in New York City.

3. Sliwa has his moments, attacks Cuomo more than Mamdani

Sliwa throughout the debate made sure to be included in the ongoing conversations, notably attacking Cuomo on his bail reform stance, questioning his character and alleged that the state parole board during Cuomo's time as governor released people accused of killing police officers.

“Your father, when he was governor, released none. I knew Mario Cuomo,” he said. “You’re no Mario Cuomo.”

Silwa has previously claimed that Cuomo has made efforts to get him to drop out of the race, so he could consolidate non-Mamdani votes.

The Republican nominee did go after Mamdani, calling outhis ideas like city-run groceries and universal child care.

Your fantasies are never going to come about in terms of funding everything you want that’s going to be free, free, free,” he said. “It’s a fantasy.”

4. Stance on Israel/Hochul

Cuomo went after Mamdani over his criticism of the Israeli government and pro-Palestinian advocacy.

The former governor claimed that Mamdani would not condemn Hamas and his comments on Israel's right to exist.

“If you notice, the assemblyman still won’t say he believes that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state,” Cuomo said. “He is a divisive personality.”

Mamdani said that he recognizes" Israel’s right to exist." [but] "I’ve said that I will not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion.”

Sliwa claimed that that Jewish New Yorkers “do not trust” Mamdani to keep them safe from antisemitic attacks.

Notably, when a moderator asked Mamdani if he would endorse Governor Hochul for reelection after she had done the same for him — he declined, saying that he is focusing "on November."

"I appreciate her support, and I appreciate her work,” Mamdani said.