Candidates come out swinging as they vie for New Yorkers’ votes in final debate
Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa have taken the stage for a two-hour debate in Queens, New York, before city residents head to the polls to decide who will become their next mayor.
The debate, which is likely to focus on public safety, the rising cost of living, housing and Donald Trump, is the last time candidates will be able to make their pitch to New Yorkers before early voting begins on Saturday, 25 October.
Things hit an apex between Cuomo and Mamdani nearly halfway through the debate after the latter was questioned on being evasive or unclear on his ideology.
Mamdani initially said: “When it comes to our schools, I believe that every single child should have an excellent public education.” He then mentioned public school funding and a need for greater literacy levels, but did not further explain what his plan for overhauling schooling in New York City. He switched gears and called out Cuomo specifically for taking so long during his tenure as governor to establish more housing.
