NYC 2017 Mayoral Debate: How To Watch And What's At Stake

NEW YORK CITY — Three candidates for New York City mayor will go head-to-head Tuesday in the first debate since last month primary elections. Republican state Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and the fiery independent candidate Bo Dietl are challenging Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat seeking a second term.

The 7 p.m. debate, moderated by NY1's Erroll Louis, will mark the first official face-off between the three candidates ahead of the Nov. 7 general election. De Blasio defeated former city councilman Sal Albanese in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary.

De Blasio has touted his administration's progress toward creating affordable housing, driving crime to historic lows and offering free pre-kindergarten classes for students across the city. He has pledged to remain a vocal progressive foil to President Donald Trump, to whom his campaign has sought to link Malliotakis.

While de Blasio is heavily favored to win a second term, his opponents have painted a picture of a city with poor quality of life languishing under a corrupt administration. Malliotakis, a second-term assemblywoman from Staten Island, has attacked his handling of issues ranging from the city's growing homeless population to trash on sidewalks.

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Dietl's presence could bring more fireworks to the debate. Known for his brash style, the ex-NYPD detective has ridiculed de Blasio by calling him "Big Bird" and once encouraging people to pee on Gracie Mansion as a statement against lax enforcement of public urination laws.

In all, 11 candidates are running for mayor, but de Blasio, Malliotkis and Dietl were the only three to meet the debate criteria set by the city's Campaign Finance Board, which oversees the debates. Another debate is set for Nov. 1, just six days before the general election.

Who, where and when

The debate runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway on the Upper East Side.

Louis, a NY1 anchor and political commentator, will moderate the debate, with questions coming from a panel that includes NY1's Grace Rauh, NY1 Noticias' Juan Manuel Benitez, Politico New York's Gloria Pazmino and WNYC's Brian Lehrer.

How to watch

NY1 will broadcast the debate live. Spectrum cable subscribers can watch on TV or stream the broadcast online at NY1.com

WNYC will also have a live broadcast on 93.9 FM and a stream available at WNYC.org.

If you're in Bed-Stuy, Transportation Alternatives is hosting a watch party at Restoration Plaza, complete with food vendors, a DJ and a voter-registration drive. The event runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at 1368 Fulton St. in Brooklyn.

(Lead image by Jefferson Siegel - Pool/Getty Images)