Final Showdown: NYC Mayoral Candidates Face Off Amid Rising Tensions

Thu Oct 23 2025 23:12:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As the NYC mayoral race heats up, candidates Zohran Mamdani, Curtis Sliwa, and Andrew Cuomo prepare for a pivotal debate. The election sees Mamdani maintain a strong lead, while Cuomo pressures Sliwa to withdraw, framing him as a spoiler.

In the final debate before New York City's mayoral election, Democrat Zohran Mamdani aims to solidify his lead against Republican Curtis Sliwa, despite pressure from former Governor Andrew Cuomo for Sliwa to exit the race. With only days until early voting, tensions rise as Mamdani focuses on voter concerns while Cuomo seeks conservative support, claiming Sliwa poses a threat to his own campaign and the city's future.

NEW YORK (MetaWorld.Media) — The stakes are high as New York City's mayoral candidates prepare for their final debate. Democrat Zohran Mamdani looks to maintain his steady lead in a race perceived as increasingly favorable for him, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo intensifies his push for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race.

With early voting almost upon us, Cuomo has urged conservative voters to rally around him, labeling Sliwa as a “spoiler” whose continued candidacy could ensure Mamdani’s victory.

Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, has vehemently rejected any suggestion of withdrawing and has countered with sharp criticisms of Cuomo.

The previous debate saw Mamdani face attacks from Cuomo, who is now running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to him. However, Mamdani stated his intention to rise above personal squabbles, focusing instead on the issues facing New Yorkers. “While my opponents are focused on speaking about each other, my focus will be on New Yorkers themselves,” he emphasized.

Despite the attacks from Cuomo, Mamdani's campaign has positioned itself to draw attention to the detrimental effects of Cuomo's past policies, hinting at a fierce strategy for the coming debate.

The Democratic candidate's critics have pointed to his limited political experience and controversial stances, including significant pro-Palestinian advocacy, as potential vulnerabilities. Last week’s debate offered Mamdani the opportunity to deflect attacks while putting Cuomo on the defensive regarding his controversial tenure as governor, particularly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and harassment allegations.

Cuomo, operating as an independent, believes that his political experience makes him a legitimate opponent against Mamdani, sharing his vision of rallying conservatives against what he perceives as an existential threat posed by the Democratic candidate. “You do what you need to do to stop the existential threat,” he remarked.

Sliwa remains steadfast in his decision to stay in the race and has encouraged supporters to vote early, positioning his campaign as a grassroots effort against elite influences in New York politics. “The billionaires aren’t going to determine who the next mayor is. You, the people will,” he declared during a campaign video.

As the three candidates prepare for their debate, all eyes will be on how they address the pressing issues of the city's future and their approaches to an electorate hungry for change.