1:52From left, Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Democratic candidate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani participate in a second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in the Queens borough of New York, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Hiroko Masuike/AP
The gloves came off during the concluding New York City mayoral debate Wednesday evening.
In response to inquiries on policy matters such as housing and education, the contenders on stage — Democratic nominee and state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, Republican contender and "Guardian Angels" head Curtis Sliwa, and independent nominee and previous Gov. Andrew Cuomo — consistently reproached one another concerning what they characterized as each other’s weaknesses.
The most contentious junctures of the discussion, arranged by Spectrum News NY1, transpired during sections nominally allocated to policy discussions.
From left, Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Democratic candidate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani participate in a second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in the Queens borough of New York, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.Hiroko Masuike/AP
Cuomo asserted that the quantity of unhoused individuals in New York City had "more than amplified" since he departed from his gubernatorial post, denouncing what he professed was Mamdani's inaction on the subject as an assemblyman.
Cuomo, who relinquished the governorship in 2021 in the midst of allegations of sexual harassment that he has consistently refuted, employed the expression "since I left," to allude to the conclusion of his service — which Sliwa promptly capitalized on.
"Andrew, you didn't leave. You escaped! To prevent impeachment by the Democrats in the state legislature — you escaped!" Sliwa exclaimed.
A question directed at Mamdani concerning his stance on educational institutions devolved into an unrestricted dispute between him and Cuomo.
"I accomplished things — you have never held a position," Cuomo remarked to Mamdani at one juncture. "You've never realized anything. There's no rationale to assume you possess any value or capability for 8 and 1/2 million lives … For shame. For shame."
Independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo participates in the second New York City mayoral debate with Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, on October 22, 2025.Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Mamdani retorted, "It's always a delight to witness Andrew Cuomo fabricate his own realities on every debate platform. We just observed a former governor declare in his own words that this city has been exploited by the state. Who was at the helm of the state? It was you!"
"Governor Hochul, Governor Hochul," Cuomo replied, referencing current Gov. Kathy Hochul. "You were the legislator–"
They both sustained their overlapping conversation until a moderator intervened.
Sliwa utilized the conflict to launch a jab.
"I overheard them both once more, bickering like children in the playground," Sliwa expressed. "Zohran, your credentials could be inscribed on a cocktail napkin, and Andrew, your debacles could occupy a public school library in New York City."
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani participates in the second New York City mayoral debate with Independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, on October 22, 2025.Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
In general, regarding the matter of managing President Donald Trump, the aspirants were questioned regarding the assortment of "defiance, diplomacy and cooperation" they would employ if the Trump regime endeavors to meddle in the administration of the city or threatens to diminish funding.
Sliwa, who maintains a strained rapport with Trump — and has not pursued his backing — criticized the other two candidates as excessively adversarial.
"My rivals have opted to engage in chest-thumping with President Trump to demonstrate who is more macho," Sliwa commented. "You cannot conquer Trump. He possesses the majority of the assets … Thus, if you are going to unexpectedly adopt an antagonistic approach, you will be defeated, and who will endure the consequences? The residents of New York City. With Trump, it invariably involves the art of negotiation."
Cuomo, meanwhile, communicated that the mayor must both confront and collaborate with the president — and subsequently portrayed a mayoral triumph by Mamdani as an invitation for Trump to instigate havoc.
"He has expressed his intention to assume control of New York if Mamdani prevails, and he will, due to his absence of regard for him," Cuomo stated. "He regards him as a youngster and intends to depose him" — utilizing the Yiddish colloquial term for someone’s posterior. He appended that the mayor must simultaneously oppose and engage with the president at varying junctures.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa participates in the second New York City mayoral debate with Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and Independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, on October 22, 2025.Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
"We initially received communication from the Republican candidate for mayor, and subsequently, we received communication from Donald Trump’s own puppet, Andrew Cuomo," Mamdani countered. "You could activate the television on any given day of the week, and you would perceive Donald Trump articulating that his preference for mayor is Andrew Cuomo, and he desires Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor, not because it will benefit New Yorkers, but because it will benefit him."
Concerning the governance of the metropolis, the debate facilitators questioned Mamdani about recent reports indicating his intention to solicit New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to retain her position if elected, which he affirmed he would do.
"Commissioner Tisch disrupted the prevailing norms, commenced the implementation of accountability, eradicating corruption, and diminishing crime throughout the five boroughs. I have iterated consistently that my determining factor for that position will be excellence, and the alignment will pertain to that position," he conveyed.
Cuomo communicated that he would request Tisch to remain and expressed disbelief in Mamdani’s commitment.
New York Mayor Eric Adams sits with Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo after Cuomo participated in the second debate for the upcoming mayoral election on Wednesday evening during the game between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on October 22, 2025 in New York City.Al Bello/Getty Images
Sliwa communicated that he, likewise, would request Tisch to remain in her role "for stability" but expressed that he did not anticipate her serving in a Cuomo or Mamdani administration.
Regarding the backing of incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams — both Mamdani and Sliwa articulated that they would decline an endorsement from Adams, who suspended his reelection campaign late last month.
Cuomo stated that he would accept it and disseminated an image of himself online seated courtside with Adams at a New York Knicks game subsequent to the debate.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
