Zohran Mamdani did what he needed and won the debate

[RandySF]

Zohran Mamdani did not make any major or minor mistakes. He was calm, smiled and made his points over attacks from rivals Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani dominated most of the two-hour debate against his more experienced opponents. His performance was miles better than what he turned in earlier this year during the primary campaign, where he often appeared less confident or flustered.

This evening, it was Cuomo who appeared clinical and bloodless at times, presenting a recitation of facts that might work at a law school symposium, but not in a rapid-fire TV exchange. Long-shot Republican Sliwa brought bravado to the forum, yet he at times came across as too mayoral and a bit staid — even if social media fell in love with his thick New York accent.

Cuomo needed a major moment this evening to trip up Mamdani in order to evaporate Mamdani’s double-digit polling lead. The former governor simply did not get that this evening.


https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/10/16/nyc-mayoral-debate-mamdani-cuomo-sliwa/mamdani-wins-debate-00613038

[NJCher]

1. Mamdami had a good response

to Cuomo harping on this rent-controlled apartment.Cuomo brought it up and Mamdani said emptying people from rent-controlled apartments wouldn't be much of a solution for additional housing units.

It made Cuomo look foolish for bringing it up because he wasn't proposing it as a solution. He was bringing it up to put Mamdani on the spot.