Live from New York: It's mayoral debate night.
The three leading candidates for New York City mayor took the stage at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan Thursday night to make a case to lead America's biggest city.
Early voting in the race is set to begin next week, and the most recent polling suggests Zohran Mamdani has widened his lead to 46 percent, while Andrew Cuomo stands at 33 percent.
The outcome of the race could have political implications beyond the Empire State as President Donald Trump looms large, and whoever wins will likely face pressure from Washington in some form.
The Democratic Party nationally also is likely watching to see if America's biggest Democratic stronghold chooses an establishment, centrist Cuomo, who is running as an independent, or the progressive Mamdani. The winner could help determine the kind of candidate and platform Democrats choose in the future following their staggering 2024 loss to Trump.
Republicans also will watch to see if their candidate, Curtis Sliwa, continues to make inroads with his public safety platform.
Here are five big takeaways from tonight's debate:
Mamdani addresses his support for Palestinians
Mamdani's past statements on Israel and Palestinians came up several times during the night in questions from moderators and opponents' criticisms. The candidate has stressed his support for Palestinians and statehood, and has criticized Israel's military operation in Gaza. He also was criticized for declining to condemn the phrase globalise the intifada when probed by interviewers but affirmed his commitment to serving all New Yorkers.
Cuomo attacked Mamdani for his views, calling him a divisive personality across the board.
The fourth man: Donald Trump
Despite being absent from the debate, Donald Trump remained a significant point of discussion. The candidates addressed the implications of his policies, with Sliwa emphasizing the need for cooperation with Trump as mayor, while Mamdani openly opposed him. Cuomo positioned himself as the candidate with enough experience to tackle Trump effectively.
Affordability front and center
Affordability emerged as a central issue in the debate. Sliwa opened with a recognition of the challenges faced by New Yorkers regarding high living costs, while each candidate proposed various solutions. Memorable exchanges included Mamdani defending his policies amidst criticism regarding living situations.
Cuomo's controversies still loom
Cuomo's shadow hung over the debate as Mamdani challenged him on past allegations of misconduct and mismanagement during his tenure as governor, while Cuomo sought to defend his record.
Curtis Sliwa makes his mark
Sliwa displayed confidence and assertiveness throughout the evening, leveraging his background in crime prevention to resonate with voters concerned about public safety.
