In a heated showdown preceding New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, seven candidates took to the stage for their second debate on Thursday.
The spotlight prominently shone on former governor Andrew Cuomo, who faced intense criticism, particularly from City Comptroller Brad Lander, a newly invigorated contender in the race.
Between the two debates, unrest erupted across the country in response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, creating a shifting landscape for candidates.
Zohran Mamdani, who has focused his campaign on affordability, found himself confronting the nation’s turmoil, an area where he lacks significant experience.
Cuomo seized the opportunity to attack Mamdani’s qualifications, labeling the prospect of his mayoralty as “reckless and dangerous.”
Mamdani countered with a personal attack, pointing to Cuomo’s past resignation amid scandal but struggled to provide a solid rebuttal to Cuomo’s critique.
Cuomo, using his tenure as governor during a tumultuous time, boasted of his dealings with then-President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Trump shied away from confronting him.
“I am a bulwark against a menacing president,” Cuomo asserted, claiming victory over Trump’s desire to avoid direct confrontations with him as a potential mayor.
The New York Times also influenced the debate dynamics, having shifted away from direct endorsements in political races last year.
Instead, they consulted a panel of 15 New Yorkers from various sectors about their preferred candidates, with Lander emerging as the top choice among nearly half of them.
Pumped by this support, Lander joined forces with Mamdani to attack Cuomo on issues of corruption and ties to billionaire supporters of Trump.
They did not shy away from focusing on Cuomo’s controversial history, with Mamdani particularly questioning Cuomo’s handling of his name during the debate, framing it as racially insensitive.
Moderators sometimes exacerbated the attacks, enabling candidates to pile on Cuomo’s past actions and management style.
Many audience members laughed when Lander pointedly confronted Cuomo about the well-documented sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation.
“Everyone here knows that you sexually harassed women,” Lander exclaimed, not permitting Cuomo to adequately respond.
During a pivotal “cross-examination” segment, Lander allowed audience member Peter Arbeeny to speak on the loss of his father to Covid in a nursing home due to Cuomo’s policies.
Cuomo countered with the details of Arbeeny’s unsuccessful lawsuit against the state regarding his father’s death, expressing sympathy while discrediting the claims against him.
Mamdani, who had faced backlash for his previous reluctance to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, accused Cuomo of Islamophobia, a move highlighting the delicate nature of identity politics in the current climate.
When moderator Errol Louis questioned Cuomo about his mosque visit record, it underscored an ongoing campaign issue from his previous run in 2018, which he still seemed to struggle with addressing.
The discussion, despite its intent to address hate crimes, inadvertently shifted focus toward Muslim outreach, sidelining the pressing rise in anti-Semitic incidents, of which Jews constituted a shocking 54% of hate crimes in New York in 2024.
Mamdani opted to discuss affordability and nonviolence rather than confront anti-Semitism head-on, claiming Cuomo’s disconnected message on these important issues reflected his ignorance toward Muslim New Yorkers.
Lander took a contrasting approach, extending his commitment to protect Jewish communities while also noting his visit to a Bronx mosque during recent holidays.
As the debate progressed, candidates like State Senator Zellnor Myrie and former comptroller Scott Stringer echoed calls for increased outreach to Muslims, signaling the growing importance of this voter base.
While Cuomo attempted to defend his past and present candidacy under fire, he effectively reminded voters that executive experience is crucial in times of civil unrest.
He criticized Lander’s management of the current migrant crisis, likening him to a bookkeeper at Tammany Hall, an attack emphasizing his own operational experience.
The debate left little room for other candidates, such as Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Myrie, and Stringer, who struggled to break through the persistent focus on the Cuomo controversy.
Adams showcased her unique position as the last remaining female candidate by questioning Mamdani’s perceived superiority in qualifications, appealing to potential supporters among women voters.
Post-debate, Mamdani and Lander solidified their alliance, urging supporters to rank each other second on their ballots in a strategic bid to consolidate progressive votes against Cuomo.
This shift comes amid Lander moderating his own stances on various issues, showcasing a willingness to align with Mamdani to gain traction before the impending primary.
However, Mamdani suffered a recent blow when the New York Times editorial board issued a scathing critique of his candidacy, questioning his experience and agenda.
The primary, approaching rapidly with early voting already underway, now stands as a clear contest between Cuomo and the alliance of Mamdani and Lander, deepening the tensions as candidates vie for crucial electoral support.
With only eight days to go, the stakes have never been higher in the quest for New York City’s Democratic mayoral nomination.
image source from：https://www.city-journal.org/article/new-york-city-mayoral-debate-zohran-mamdani-brad-lander-andrew-cuomo
