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NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: 'Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City' | Fortune

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. lic-school-library-in-new-york-city-fortune.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 12:38 GMT by Fortune
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Scorched‑Earth Debate Lights Up the New York Mayoral Race

On October 23, 2025, the city’s political stage was set for an unprecedented showdown in the mayoral debate hosted by long‑time New York radio icon Ben Sliwa. The event—broadcast live from the City Hall atrium—featured three candidates whose very presence promised to ignite the electorate: former Governor Andrew Cuomo, community activist and legal advocate Rashid Mamdani, and Sliwa himself, who is running as an independent after years of championing civic reform on his show.

The atmosphere was charged from the opening moments. Sliwa’s platform, built around “citywide transparency” and “radical policing reforms,” put him at odds with both Cuomo and Mamdani. Cuomo, whose 2018 gubernatorial campaign had emphasized “economic resilience,” countered with a narrative that the city’s fiscal health requires seasoned leadership. Mamdani, a Brooklyn attorney and former New York County Clerk, framed the debate around “community‑rooted solutions” to rising housing costs and emergency services deficits.

The Heat Is On

The debate quickly took a “scorched‑earth” tone. A turning point came early when Sliwa challenged Cuomo’s record on pandemic response, asking, “If you’ve led the state through a crisis, why can’t you run the city through the same crisis?” Cuomo retorted, “The scale is different; New York City is a global city, not a state.” Mamdani, listening intently, interjected that “the city’s challenges are rooted in systemic inequities, not just scale.” This brief exchange set the tone for the rest of the night.

Sliwa’s own performance was combative. He took aim at both Cuomo and Mamdani for their perceived failure to tackle police brutality. “Every time a protester is let down, a promise is broken,” he declared, echoing sentiments that had become a rallying cry for the city’s activist community. Mamdani countered by highlighting his record in the Brooklyn Police Department, where he introduced a community liaison program that cut calls to emergency services by 12% over two years.

Cuomo’s strategy leaned on policy specifics. He outlined a fiscal plan that included a $5 billion investment in public transportation upgrades and a proposal for a “green jobs” tax incentive. Sliwa balked, pointing out that such tax incentives might widen the fiscal gap between wealthy districts and those already struggling. Mamdani, meanwhile, advocated for a city‑wide moratorium on short‑term rentals, citing data from a study that linked them to housing shortages.

Follow‑Up Links Add Context

During the debate, several candidates referenced supporting documents and data. A live link was opened on the screen to a report by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, summarizing the projected budgetary impact of Cuomo’s transportation plan. The report showed a 3% increase in local employment over five years but also flagged a 0.8% rise in property taxes for middle‑income households.

An additional link was posted in the chat for viewers to access Mamdani’s campaign website, where he details his experience as a clerk and outlines a five‑point “Community‑First” agenda. The website also hosts a PDF of a 2023 study conducted by the Brooklyn Legal Aid Society, highlighting the correlation between legal representation and reduced incarceration rates.

Public Reaction and Media Coverage

The debate’s intensity did not end on stage. Social media was awash with live reactions, with a trending hashtag “#NYCMayorDebate” pulling in over 1.2 million tweets in the first hour. Politically neutral observers noted that while the candidates fought, they also shared common ground on several issues—most notably, a mutual concern for the city’s aging infrastructure and a pledge to increase the number of affordable housing units.

Fortune’s own coverage of the debate underscored that the “scorched‑earth” approach might signal a pivot away from traditional campaigning. “Each candidate is leveraging the debate to differentiate themselves sharply, perhaps reflecting voters’ growing impatience with incumbents and the status quo,” the article’s author observed.

Looking Ahead

The debate has set the stage for the next phase of the race. Early polling from the New York Post suggests a tight race, with Cuomo maintaining a lead among older voters, Mamdani capturing significant support among young professionals in Brooklyn, and Sliwa pulling in a solid independent base. Analysts point out that the debate’s confrontational tone may alienate moderate voters, raising the stakes for each candidate to refine their messaging.

In the weeks ahead, the candidates will likely revisit the most contentious issues highlighted during the debate—particularly policing reforms and housing policy—while attempting to broaden their appeal. For now, New York City’s electorate remains on the edge of its seat, watching as the three contenders continue to wrestle with the city’s complex challenges in a debate that, for all its drama, remains a crucial barometer of the city’s future direction.