Live Updates: As Race Tightens, N.Y.C. Mayoral Candidates Are Set to Debate

New York Times

19 hours ago

With only two days left before early voting begins, the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City has narrowed into a two-person race between former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
Mr. Cuomo, 67, a moderate from one of New York's best known political dynasties, remains ahead in nearly every poll. But Mr. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, appears to be closing the gap, and is running a high-energy campaign promising free buses, city-owned grocery stores and a freeze on rent for certain regulated units.
After dozens of forums, parades and town halls, Thursday night's debate will offer them and five other candidates a final chance to confront their rivals and potentially alter the trajectory of the contest.
Primary Day is not until June 24, but early voting is slated to begin on Saturday across the five boroughs.
The tightening margins have forced Mr. Cuomo's once-sleepy campaign to lurch into motion. This week, he rolled out a series of high-profile endorsements while deep-pocketed allies and business interests poured millions of dollars into super PACs pummeling Mr. Mamdani with ads.
Mr. Cuomo, who came under heavy attack himself in last week's debate, will bring that fight directly to Mr. Mamdani tonight. The former governor is almost certain to hit the assemblyman on his past support for defunding police forces, question how he could realistically raise billions of dollars in new funds to pay for his expensive programming proposals and lampoon his comparatively thin résumé.
If the past is any guide, Mr. Mamdani will strike back with questions about the millions of dollars in contributions to a pro-Cuomo super PAC from billionaires and companies with business before the city. He has argued New York needs a new generation of leaders.
The stakes are just as high for Brad Lander, the city comptroller, Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker, and Scott Stringer, the former comptroller. All three candidates have high-level government experience and loyal followings, but they have struggled to open up a third lane. Each could benefit from a memorable moment that they could try to use to keep themselves in contention.
Two more candidates — State Senator Zellnor Myrie and the financier Whitney Tilson — are lesser-known and have only small chances of winning the race. But Mr. Tilson has been an especially persistent attack dog against Mr. Mamdani and could play an outsize role onstage.
Two candidates at last week's debate failed to qualify for tonight's. They are State Senator Jessica Ramos, who endorsed Mr. Cuomo late last week despite her lacerating criticism of his record, and Michael Blake, a former assemblyman.
Mayor Eric Adams will not be on the debate stage because he is running for re-election as an independent.