In the final debate of the New York City mayoral race, frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa clashed over their records and visions for the city. The debate took place at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, just days before early voting begins for the November 4 election.

Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, has maintained a significant lead in the polls after his surprising primary victory in June. His campaign focuses on affordability, advocating for free public transportation, rent freezes, and universal childcare, funded by increased taxes on the wealthy. Cuomo, who has been trailing in the polls, criticized Mamdani's proposals as unrealistic and questioned his experience in governance.

The debate featured heated exchanges, particularly on the candidates' backgrounds. Cuomo asserted, "He’s never run anything, managed anything. He’s never had a real job," referring to Mamdani's limited experience. In response, Mamdani called Cuomo a "desperate man lashing out" as he feels his power slipping away. Sliwa also joined the fray, stating, "Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin, and Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City."

The candidates also addressed the influence of President Donald Trump on the race. Cuomo claimed that a Mamdani victory would empower Trump, stating, "[Trump] has said he’ll take over New York if Mamdani wins, and he will, because he has no respect for him." Mamdani countered by labeling Cuomo as "Donald Trump’s puppet," arguing that Trump supports Cuomo's candidacy for his own political gain.

Support for Palestinian rights emerged as another contentious topic. Mamdani defended his stance, stating he would protect and celebrate Jewish New Yorkers while rejecting Cuomo's accusations of anti-Semitism. Cuomo claimed Mamdani was inciting hatred against Jewish people, while Sliwa made unfounded allegations about Mamdani endorsing "global jihad." Mamdani firmly denied these claims, suggesting they stem from his identity as the first Muslim candidate in the race.

During the debate, Mamdani announced he would ask current Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to remain in her position if elected. This decision could alienate some of his progressive supporters who seek significant police reform. Tisch has been criticized for her enforcement policies, which some argue disproportionately affect minority communities.

Cuomo faced repeated questions about the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation as governor in 2021. Mamdani highlighted the presence of one of Cuomo's accusers in the audience, asking, "What do you say to the 13 women who you sexually harassed?" Cuomo responded by asserting that the cases have been legally closed, dismissing Mamdani's claims as misstatements.

As the debate concluded, Sliwa, who is polling third, reiterated his commitment to stay in the race despite pressure to withdraw. He criticized both Mamdani and Cuomo, calling them the "architect and the apprentice" of the city’s problems.

The candidates also found common ground in condemning recent immigration raids in Manhattan, with Cuomo stating he would deploy the NYPD to intervene in such actions. After the debate, Mamdani and Sliwa took questions from reporters, while Cuomo left to attend a Knicks game, highlighting his ongoing connection to the city's political landscape.