Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa clash in final New York City mayoral debate

NEW YORK (AP) — Zahran Mamdani was attacked over his thin resume, Republican Curtis Sliwa sought to prove he was serious as a candidate, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo came under pressure over sexual harassment allegations that pushed him out of office in a contentious final debate in the New York City mayoral race.

While Mamdani, the front-runner, began accusing his rivals of being expendable in the fight — suggesting he would try to focus instead on his vision for New Yorkers — the state Assemblyman joined them in the mud as he tried to create viral moments on social media, including inviting one of Cuomo’s accusers to appear in the audience.

Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, performed better Wednesday than he did during their first debate. He used his focus on the day-to-day administration of the city to showcase his political experience.

Although he urged Saliwa to abandon his bid to avoid splitting the anti-Mamdani vote, he did not raise his request during the discussion. Instead, he portrayed Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, as out of touch, highlighting his advocacy for the Palestinians and President Donald Trump’s threats to seize control of the city if he wins.

Here are some key takeaways from the discussion.

Harsh criticism everywhere

Independent candidate former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and Democratic candidate Assemblyman Zahran Mamdani participate in the second New York City Mayor’s Debate on October 22 at the LaGuardia Center for the Performing Arts at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York. Photography by Hiroko Masuiki/Pool

Mamdani said he plans to continue his focus on issues, such as affordability, that have fueled his momentum and earned him national attention, but he has drawn much criticism against his rivals, whom he accused of spending more time calling on each other to withdraw “rather than proposing their own policies.”

He said Cuomo and Sliwa “only talk about the past because that’s all they know.” He said Cuomo is “a desperate man, who lashes out because he knows that the only thing he cares about, which is power, is eluding him.”

Meanwhile, Cuomo touted his experience.

“She never got a job. She never accomplished anything,” he said, stressing that Mamdani lacks the merit and qualifications needed to run the country’s largest city or deal with emergencies there.

Read more: Who is Zahran Mamdani?

Salwa accused the two men of “fighting like kids in the schoolyard,” but they continued as well.

“Zorhan, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin,” he joked. “And Andrew, your failures could fill a New York City public school library.” He also repeatedly referenced Cuomo’s decision to resign as governor amid a barrage of sexual harassment allegations, which Cuomo denies.

Local issues and the Canal Street raid

While the race has often been dominated by questions about the war between Israel and Hamas, Trump and other national topics, the candidates on Wednesday were filled with specific details about crime, the subway and the notorious Rikers Island prison complex.

Mamdani was criticized after refusing to take a position on a range of initiatives that will appear in the November elections.

Mamdani also said that as mayor he would ask New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to remain in her position. Mamdani, who has been harshly critical of city police in the past, has been trying to tone down his more controversial stances.

He watches: What Zahran Mamdani’s victory in the New York primary means for Democrats across the country

The candidates also attacked an immigration enforcement crackdown on vendors on Manhattan’s famous Canal Street this week, which led to the arrests of 14 people.

Cuomo said the city does not need Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the city to handle quality-of-life crimes like dealing in counterfeit bags.

Mamdani likewise pledged to oppose federal interventions in the city, saying, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a reckless entity that cares little about the law and even less about the people it is supposed to serve.”

The Trump factor

The candidates again pressed Trump and insisted they would be more adept at dealing with the mercurial president.

Cuomo has repeatedly talked about how he kept Trump at bay during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and said a Mamdani win would be a “dream” for the president.

“He said he would take over New York if Mamdani wins, and he will! Because he doesn’t respect him. He thinks he’s a kid and he’ll kick him in the jacket,” Cuomo said.

He watches: The Democratic National Committee chair on the road to winning back voters and the lessons Democrats can learn from Mamdani

Mamdani, meanwhile, tried to paint Cuomo as a Trump “puppet” who is too aligned with the president.

“He wants Andrew Cuomo to be mayor not because it would be good for New Yorkers, but because it would be good for him,” Mamdani said.

Sliwa warned that they were taking the wrong approach by antagonizing the president.

“You can’t beat Trump,” he added.

Mamdani withdraws from Trump’s playbook

Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani speaks to the media on October 16 after participating in the mayoral debate in New York, United States. Photograph by Angelina Katsanis/Pool via Reuters.

Meanwhile, Cuomo continued to face allegations that led to his resignation.

Mamdani said one of the women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, his former aide Charlotte Bennett, was in the audience Wednesday. Trump used a similar strategy in 2016 when he appeared in a debate with accusers of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, who denied the accusations against him.

“What would you say to the 13 women you sexually harassed?” he asked as he pressed Cuomo about the allegations and the millions of taxpayer money spent defending him in court.

Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing and rebuked Mamdani.

“If you want to be in government, you have to be serious and mature,” he said.

Bennett was the second woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, alleging that he subjected her to aggressive questions about her personal life and sexual relationships. Cuomo denies Bennett’s allegations.

Several candidates noted at the beginning of the debate that New Yorkers would likely prefer to watch the Knicks’ season opener, which kicks off at the same time. Cuomo arrived at halftime of the game, where he was photographed sitting next to current Mayor Eric Adams.