New York City's three mayoral contenders had a fiery debate on Wednesday night in their final televised face-off less than two weeks before voters decide the city's next leader on 4 November. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa participated in a tense and often chaotic discussion. The current mayor, Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race weeks earlier, once again did not attend.
All the candidates did well - and that's the problem for New Yorkers who don't want a socialist mayor," Republican strategist Bill O'Reilly told The Post. "Will that be enough to change the nature of this race? We'll see over the next few days." Marist University Institute for Public Opinion Director Lee Miringoff also poured cold water on the idea that any major change would materialize before the Nov. 4 election.
Zohran Mamdani had little to say when asked during Thursday night's mayoral debate how he would cover the cost of his $10 billion in freebies for his socialist agenda - as Gov. Kathy Hochul has insisted she will not raise taxes. "Look, a lot of people have called even my campaign a non-starter when we first again and now I stand before you proud to be the Democratic nominee who got the most votes in city primary history," Mamdani said, dodging the question.
