The first general debate ahead of the New York City mayoral election was held on Thursday (local time), featuring all three candidates. Democrat Zohran Mamdani , widely considered the frontrunner, faced off against Republican Curtis Silwa and independent Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York State.
All eyes were on Mamdani, who will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected. The Indian-origin politician, who was born in Uganda, became a US citizen only in 2018.
Here's how he fared:
On previously calling for NYPD to be defunded: In June 2020, Mamdani, a socialist politician, had accused the New York Police Department (NYPD) of being “racist” and “anti-queer” amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd. In a social media post that has since been deleted, he also called for the NYPD to be defunded.
Also Read | Zohran Mamdani apologises to NYPD in public over 2020 ‘defund, racist’ remarks; netizens call his apology 'hollow'
“As much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020, which is around the same time he was sending seniors to their deaths in nursing homes, I am looking to work with police officers, not to defund the NYPD,” the 33-year-old socialist deflected Cuomo's remark and instead attacked the former governor over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mamdani further clarified he no longer supports defunding the police, but he also insisted that he would not hire more officers, even as the NYPD remains short by 1,500 personnel from its 35,000-officer target.
On not denouncing Hamas : Mamdani has repeatedly avoided denouncing Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, or calling on it to lay down arms. “The assemblyman,” Cuomo said, referring to his rival’s position in the New York State Assembly, “will not denounce Hamas.”
“Of course, I believe that Hamas should put down its weapons as part of a cease-fire deal,” Mamdani replied to Cuomo’s criticism. His remark came just days after he told Fox News on Wednesday that he had “no opinion” on the matter.
His "anti-Israel" stance: The frontrunner was also questioned about his stance on Israel , whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, he has repeatedly threatened to arrest for alleged war crims against Gaza, should Netanyahu come to New York City with him as mayor.
Also Read | 'New York should honour ICC warrant': Zohran Mamdani targets Benjamin Netanyahu; reiterates call to 'arrest' Israel's PM
"I've said time and again that I recognise Israel's right to exist. I would not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion. I've made that very clear And part of that is because I’m an American who believes in the importance of equal rights being enshrined in every single country-whether Israel or Saudi Arabia," Mamdani responded.
The New York City mayor will be elected on November 5. The winner will succeed the current mayor, Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer who has served as the city’s 110th mayor since January 2022.
All eyes were on Mamdani, who will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected. The Indian-origin politician, who was born in Uganda, became a US citizen only in 2018.
Here's how he fared:
On previously calling for NYPD to be defunded: In June 2020, Mamdani, a socialist politician, had accused the New York Police Department (NYPD) of being “racist” and “anti-queer” amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd. In a social media post that has since been deleted, he also called for the NYPD to be defunded.
Also Read | Zohran Mamdani apologises to NYPD in public over 2020 ‘defund, racist’ remarks; netizens call his apology 'hollow'
“As much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020, which is around the same time he was sending seniors to their deaths in nursing homes, I am looking to work with police officers, not to defund the NYPD,” the 33-year-old socialist deflected Cuomo's remark and instead attacked the former governor over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zohran Mamdani: “I never said that I want to defund the police.”
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 17, 2025
Zohran Mamdani 👇 pic.twitter.com/Lkp07ABkK2
Mamdani further clarified he no longer supports defunding the police, but he also insisted that he would not hire more officers, even as the NYPD remains short by 1,500 personnel from its 35,000-officer target.
On not denouncing Hamas : Mamdani has repeatedly avoided denouncing Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, or calling on it to lay down arms. “The assemblyman,” Cuomo said, referring to his rival’s position in the New York State Assembly, “will not denounce Hamas.”
Andrew Cuomo: Zohran Mamdani is a communist
— Ginny Hogan_ (@ginnyhogan_) October 16, 2025
Zohran Mamdani: here’s my plan for affordable childcare
Curtis Sliwa: so 46 years ago, I was riding a red scooter around Staten Island when I saw a deer eating a dead bunny, and that’s when I decided this city needs me.
“Of course, I believe that Hamas should put down its weapons as part of a cease-fire deal,” Mamdani replied to Cuomo’s criticism. His remark came just days after he told Fox News on Wednesday that he had “no opinion” on the matter.
His "anti-Israel" stance: The frontrunner was also questioned about his stance on Israel , whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, he has repeatedly threatened to arrest for alleged war crims against Gaza, should Netanyahu come to New York City with him as mayor.
Also Read | 'New York should honour ICC warrant': Zohran Mamdani targets Benjamin Netanyahu; reiterates call to 'arrest' Israel's PM
"I've said time and again that I recognise Israel's right to exist. I would not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion. I've made that very clear And part of that is because I’m an American who believes in the importance of equal rights being enshrined in every single country-whether Israel or Saudi Arabia," Mamdani responded.
The New York City mayor will be elected on November 5. The winner will succeed the current mayor, Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer who has served as the city’s 110th mayor since January 2022.
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