Get in, nerds. We’re watching the NYC mayoral debate

Thursday, the first debate of the general mayoral election, will be a big night for Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa – each for entirely different reasons. 

For Sliwa, it’s a chance to prove he’s a serious candidate, that he’s more than the red beret and snarky quips. For Cuomo, it’s his first debate in decades as the underdog, one of the last big opportunities for the independent candidate to reverse his fate ahead of the Nov. 4 election. And for Mamdani, the longshot Democratic primary upstart turned front-runner, it’s a night where he’ll need to stick the landing. That’ll likely entail weathering a barrage of attacks, sticking to his affordability-centric messaging, and proving he’s got the managerial chops to lead the biggest city in the country. 

The debate, which will air at 7 p.m. Thursday, will be the first time all three candidates officially come head to head. One way or another, prepare for fireworks. The last time Cuomo and Mamdani squared off on stage was June 12 – less than two weeks ahead of the 33-year-old Democratic socialist’s historic victory against the former governor. There was plenty of tension between the two men then and that’s only intensified in the weeks since. 

The race’s dynamics have shifted dramatically since the primary. Behind in the polls and under pressure to consolidate the non-Mamdani candidates, Mayor Eric Adams abandoned his bid for a second term in late September (though he and Jim Walden, another independent candidate who exited the race, will be on the ballot regardless.) When it comes to standing – and also perhaps their perceived inevitability – Mamdani and Cuomo have effectively swapped roles. With a double-digit lead in the polls, a rising national profile, and support from most of the Democratic establishment, Mamdani has the most to lose. Cuomo, a seasoned debater, will do everything he can to chip away at the younger, less politically experienced Assembly member’s front-runner status. To have a chance, he’ll need to persuade moderate Democrats and even some Republicans who aren’t fond of him or Mamdani to turn out for him regardless come Election Day.

One of the things that Mamdani benefited from during the primary was the fact that his fellow Democratic candidates presented a largely united front against Cuomo, which they capitalized on during debates by pounding the former governor with a barrage of attacks. Mamdani may now be the candidate with the front-runner badge, but Cuomo won’t necessarily benefit from that same degree of cooperation Thursday. Sliwa, the Republican nominee, has attacked Cuomo and Mamdani alike throughout his campaign and refused to drop out of the race – scoffing at the suggestion that doing so would give Cuomo a better chance of winning and that this should be his priority. He’s also drawn little distinction between the two, frequently comparing them to each other. 

“Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani share the same views,” Sliwa said of the two men, speaking at a Wednesday event hosted by the Association for a Better New York.  “They are protecting the violators, the perps. I am protecting the victims.” 

Asked Tuesday about his strategy going into the debate – and his new underdog status – Cuomo kept it simple. “You wear a really cool tie that I think is going to break out from the stage,” he said. 

Thursday’s debate is being hosted by NBC4 New York and Telemundo in partnership with Politico. The second and final debate ahead of Election Day is scheduled for Oct. 22.