Mamdani, Cuomo clash over qualifications in NYC mayoral debate

Former New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Thursday night bickered over who was more qualified to lead the city for the next four years.

The exchange took place during the first of two New York City mayoral debates ahead of next month's election. Cuomo is an Independent candidate for mayor, while Mamdani is the Democratic nominee. Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee.

Cuomo touted his more than a decade of experience in state politics and executive positions, and claimed the city's mayor was not a place for "on the job training." New York City is the largest city in the country.

“When it comes to executive experience, I’ve run the Department of Housing and Urban Development, built housing all across the nation," Cuomo said. "I was governor for 11 years. The budget is double what it is in New York City. 

"This is no job for on-the-job training, and if you look at the failed mayors, they’re ones that have no management experience. Don’t do it again," he added in a veiled reference to Mamdani.

Mamdani compared his own ethics to Cuomo's in his jab, and his experience in the state legislature. 

“I have the experience of having served in the New York State Assembly for five years and watching a broken political system," Mamdani said. "I have the experience of seeing a governor in Andrew Cuomo, who would rather have served his billionaire donors than the working-class New Yorkers who voted for him. 

“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity, and what you don’t have in integrity, you could never make up for in experience," he added.

Sliwa, who is trailing far behind both candidates in the mayoral election polls, created the Guardian Angels crime patrol group. 

Cuomo also hit Mamdani over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war, where Mamdani has been more hostile towards Israel. Cuomo blasted the Democratic nominee for not condemning the phrase "globalize the intifada."

“The Assemblyman will not denounce Hamas,” Cuomo said. “The assemblyman will not denounce Hasan Piker, who said America deserved 9/11. The assemblyman just said ... 'Well, it depends on occupation.' That is code meaning that ... Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish state, which he has never acknowledged."

Mamdani stated earlier in the debate that he does support a ceasefire in the Middle Eastern war but that the terms of the ceasefire must address the conditions that led to the war like "the occupation, the siege." 

The next New York City mayoral debate is scheduled for Oct. 22, and the general election will take place Nov. 4, 2025.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.