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The government shutdown has become a litmus test in New York City’s mayoral race, as Zohran Mamdani and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched their first general election advertisements nearly one month before voters head to the polls.

Mamdani leaned into the national spotlight on Wednesday night in his new ad, first aired during ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” asking New Yorkers, “Will you accept this rose?” That morning, he blamed President Donald Trump for the government shutdown.

Both candidates capitalized on their opening general election ads as an opportunity to showcase their competing priorities, with Mamdani preaching affordability and Cuomo touting his experience.

Mamdani and Cuomo also chose different arguments against the government shu

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