Cuomo-Mamdani Clash at LaGuardia Debate

At a LaGuardia Community College mayoral debate Wednesday, three days before early voting, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (running as an independent) and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani engaged in a bitter, personal exchange while Republican Curtis Sliwa also criticized both. Cuomo repeatedly questioned Mamdani’s experience, called him divisive and "toxic," accused him of stoking hatred and of being a potential puppet of Donald Trump, and labeled some of Mamdani’s views "blatantly antisemitic." Mamdani denied the allegations, said he opposes "global jihad," argued some attacks stem from his faith and criticism of Israel, and defended his record. The candidates also sparred on policy, with Cuomo calling Mamdani’s rent-freeze proposal unrealistic given the Rent Guidelines Board’s authority. Mamdani brought community leaders to the debate, and his campaign held a double-digit polling lead heading into early voting.