A fiery first general election debate brought together Andrew Cuomo, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and Democrat Zohran Mamdani in a tense face-off. With Mamdani eager to defend the momentum that propelled him past Cuomo in the primary, the night saw heightened exchanges and few definitive blows.

New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa took the stage Thursday night for their first general election debate. In an unexpected turn, Curtis Sliwa made headlines by apparently distancing himself from Donald Trump, creating a tense moment that set the tone for the evening.

New York City’s mayoral race is heating up as the first debate draws near. Andrew Cuomo’s recent interview at a Manhattan forum has spotlighted key figures and amplified the anticipation around this critical juncture for the city.