Cuomo and Mamdani Spar as Final Mayoral Debate Throws Sparks

As early voting begins this weekend, seven candidates for mayor intensified their messages — including their lines of attack on each other — during the final televised debate on Thursday, hosted by THE CITY, NY1/Spectrum News, WNYC/Gothamist and other partners.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Brad Lander, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens), State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn), former Comptroller Scott Stringer and former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson appeared on the debate stage at John Jay College in Manhattan.

The two frontrunners, Cuomo and Mamdani, took the majority of punches from one another — and the other candidates, who jockeyed to boost themselves in the race. Cuomo painted his upstart rival as too inexperienced to lead, in contrast to his record as governor. Meanwhile, Mamdani attacked Cuomo as ethically compromised and out of touch.

All the candidates portrayed themselves as leaders who have the vision and chops to turn around a city in disarray, making their case on major issues, from housing affordability and safe streets to schools and public safety. But sparring also took center stage, including over Gaza and how to deal with President Donald Trump.





https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/12/cuomo-mamdani-debate-2025-election-final/