NYC mayoral candidates hold final debate before early voting starts Saturday

New York City Mayoral contenders relentlessly criticized their opponents as they made their final pitch to voters Wednesday night in the final debate before early voting begins Saturday.

Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani, an independent candidate and former governor. Andrew CuomoRepublican candidate Curtis Sliwa once again exchanged harsh criticism on the debate stage, and they met for the second time in less than a week.

Wednesday’s debate at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City came as billionaire Sliwa called on him to withdraw from the mayoral race this week to shore up support for Cuomo against Mamdani, and as more than 650 rabbis across the country, including those from New York City’s largest synagogues, signed an open letter condemning Mamdani for what they said was anti-Israel rhetoric.

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Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa participate in the second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York City, October 22, 2025. (Hiroko Masuiki/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

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Both issues were on full display Wednesday night, as moderators pressed Sliwa on whether to stay in the race and Mamdani answered questions And his support for Israel.

When asked if Mamdani had any regrets about his “long-standing” anti-Israel views, the Democratic socialist reiterated his commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers.

“You will not condemn ‘globalization of intifada’ which means ‘kill the Jews.’ There is unprecedented fear in New York. And there were not many rabbis. Cuomo said it was 650 rabbis who signed the letter, not several people. While Mamdani declined to condemn the phrase ‘globalization of intifada’ during the primaries, he has since said he will “discourage” others from using that slogan.

“I heard Jewish New Yorkers “On their concerns about anti-Semitism in this city and what they deserve is a leader who takes it seriously, who uproots it from these five boroughs, not someone who weaponizes it as a way to score political points on the debate stage,” Mamdani responded in a fiery moment on the debate stage.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa participate in the second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, on October 22, 2025, in New York City. (Hiroko Masuiki/Pool/Getty Images)

Saliwa also intervened, telling Mamdani that Jewish New Yorkers were “afraid” and “afraid.”

“They view you as the arsonist who fanned the flames of anti-Semitism,” Saliwa said, accusing him of supporting “global jihad.” New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand had to issue a resolution Apology earlier this year On charges of “mischaracterizing Mamdani’s record” when she made the same insinuation.

“I have never, not once, spoken about supporting global jihad,” Mamdani said. “This is not something I said that continues to be attributed to me. And frankly, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I’m the first Muslim candidate that’s about to win this election.”

The moderators of the final New York City mayoral debate were political anchor Errol Lewis of Spectrum News NY1, Brian Lehrer of WNYC, and Katie Honan of THE CITY.

The first question asked to the candidates during Wednesday’s debate Focus on the Federal raid in New York City’s Chinatown on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of nine West African immigrants who were in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Supporters of New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zahran Mamdani gather outside LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, New York City, Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavy)

All three candidates agreed that the Trump administration was outside its jurisdiction on Tuesday. Cuomo called the raid “dangerous.”

“Don’t send ICE without coordinating with our police,” Cuomo said, arguing that he would have personally contacted the president. Donald Trump If the mayor were to tell him the administration was “out of bounds.” Sliwa agreed that the matter should have been left to the NYPD.

Mamdani took the criticism a step further, calling ICE “a reckless entity that cares little about the law and even less about the people it is supposed to serve,” and urged “an end to the separation of cooperation between City Hall and the federal government, which we saw under” Mayor Eric Adams, who is no longer seeking re-election and has built a reputation for his willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration reform.

At one point, the candidates were allowed to ask their opponents a question, sparking a tense moment between Cuomo and Mamdani. Cuomo wondered how Mamdani could take a photo with Anti-gay advocate. Mamdani said that if he had known, he would not have agreed to take the photo.

Mamdani responded by telling Cuomo: What do you say to the 13 women you sexually harassed? Cuomo has continued to deny the allegations and said the cases were dropped.

the Latest Fox News pollThe election, held from October 10 to 14, ahead of the first general election debate last week, revealed that Mamdani has gained a significant lead in the New York City mayoral race as voters see him as the candidate best placed to address the city’s most important problems.

According to the poll, Mamdani leads by 21 points among the candidates New York City Registered voters, with 49% of voters supporting Mamdani, while 28% voted for Cuomo and 13% voted for Sliwa. Mamdani also rose above the 50% threshold among likely voters, receiving 52% support, while Cuomo got 28% and Sliwa got just 14%.

Supporters of Republican New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa gathered outside LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City ahead of the final debate on Wednesday, October 22. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavy)

But as Mamdani, a social media-savvy candidate, warned his followers on Wednesday, Cuomo is the favorite to win the nomination just weeks before the Democratic primary. By cementing support with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, and endorsing each other to oust Cuomo through a by-choice vote, Mamdani succeeded in sparking a political upset that has since catapulted him onto the national stage.

Since his primary victory, Trump has called Mamdani a “100% communist lunatic” and a “little communist.” Mamdani rejected this title, stressing that he is a democratic socialist.

However, the odd-year election has captured national public attention at a time when Democrats are still grappling with heavy losses last year. As Trump returns to the White House, Democrats across the country are seeking to capitalize on growing discontent with Trump’s sweeping agenda during his second term.

Less than two hours before the candidates take the stage on Wednesday, The New York Times reported Mamdani intends to keep New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as police commissioner if she is elected in November, citing two senior campaign aides and other sources briefed on the plans.

“I can confirm this report,” Mamdani said on the discussion stage. “My administration will be relentless in its pursuit of safety and affordability for all New Yorkers, and achieving that will require us to assemble a team of the best and brightest.”

Mamdani praised Tisch for adopting a “broken status quo charter to bring accountability, root out corruption and reduce crime across the five boroughs.” Cuomo and Sliwa also confirmed they would retain the commissioner position if elected.

The Democratic nominee faced a series of criticism at the campaign trial over his past comments, including calling the NYPD “racist, homophobic, and a major threat to public safety” in 2020. Among other insults. Mamdani made a public apology to the NYPD During an interview with Fox News Last week.

Ahead of competitive midterm elections expected next year, Republicans have already seized on Mamdani’s progressive policies, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-York, who is considering a run for governor. “Kathy Hochul,” her campaign said in a recent statement It was literally endorsed The Jihadist Pro-Terrorism Mayor of New York City.”

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani last month after previously withholding her support. His fellow New York Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer They have yet to ally behind the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, though Jeffries indicated this week that a decision is imminent.

This week, Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis and hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman urged Sliwa to withdraw from the race, arguing that a vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani. Even the New York Post editorial board Join Sliwa’s invitations to withdraw, but the Republican candidate insisted on remaining in the race.

Fox News’ Kirill Clarke contributed to this report.