The first debate is in the books.
Nine Democratic candidates in the race to be the next mayor of New York City shared a debate stage on Wednesday night ahead of the June 24 primary.
The candidates fielded questions about the future of New York City, including their plans to address affordability, public safety, education, artificial intelligence, the Trump administration and political regrets.
Here are some of the night’s takeaways:
1) Everyone vs. Cuomo
Virtually every candidate (with the exception of Jessica Ramos and Whitney Tilson) went after the former governor after finally getting a face-to-face opportunity.
Standing at the center podium, Cuomo seemed prepared to parry Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander, but appeared a little more caught off guard by Michael Blake, who re-centered the issue of the former governor’s alleged treatment of women who worked for him.
2) Fighting Trump
Cuomo and Mamdani each said they would be the President Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,
“I am the last person on this stage that Mr. Trump wants to see as mayor, and that’s why I should be the first choice for the people of this city to have as mayor,” Cuomo said early on.
Mamdani shortly after said he is “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare as a progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things I believe in.”
Meanwhile, Adrienne Adams said she would follow Attorney General Letitia James’ advice and sue the president every time he oversteps.
The former governor and current state assembly member were asked questions about resisting the Trump administration if elected mayor of New York City.
3) Blake gets aggressive
Michael Blake hasn’t gotten much oxygen in the polls but the former assemblyman had several notable, energetic moments in the debate. Most memorable were his charged attacks against the former governor.
“I just want to internalize that Andrew Cuomo just said, ‘I don’t care who gave me what.'” That’s not a man who is actually going to break the corruption in City Hall,” Blake said before addressing the topic of speed limits for e-bikes.
4) Moderators push Cuomo on nursing homes and women
The former governor for the first time this campaign season re-asserted that if he did anything wrong towards women it was unintentional, and he re-apologized to those who felt wronged.
“A report was done four years ago making certain allegations. I said at the time that it was political and it was false. Five district attorneys looked at it…found absolutely nothing,” Cuomo said. “One case has been resolved, I was dropped from that case. I said at the time, if I offended anyone it was unintentional, but I apologize, and I say that today.”
5) Mamdani and Israel
One of the last questions of the night got at a perceived weakness of Mamdani’s — that he is unable to say that Israel should he a Jewish homeland. A controversial statement to say the least in New York City.
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