Mamdani Leads Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race Amid Final Debate

The 2025 New York City mayoral race features a tight contest among Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Recent debates highlighted the candidates' contrasting approaches on key issues such as housing affordability, public safety, and education, with Mamdani defending his positions amid critiques and controversies, including accusations of being soft on antisemitism. Polls show Mamdani leading with a significant margin in the three-way race, but the gap narrows considerably in a hypothetical two-candidate race against Cuomo, with undecided voters, especially those over 50, seen as a decisive factor. Cuomo's campaign portrays Sliwa as a spoiler splitting the vote, while Sliwa insists his support remains strong and rejects dropping out. Mamdani's campaign focuses on progressive policies like free buses and childcare, appealing mainly to younger voters, although some question his readiness on certain ballot proposals. With early voting imminent, all candidates remain committed to staying in the race, making the final weeks critical for voter persuasion.