Andrew Cuomo dominated the final New York City mayoral debate, acing his performance as front-runner Zohran Mamdani struggled to keep up, political experts told The Post.
Zohran Mamdani, the progressive Democrat, was on the ropes Wednesday night — sweating through a barrage of attacks from Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa in a bruising debate performance just days before voters head to the polls.
"Cuomo won the debate," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, describing the 90-minute NY1 slugfest that left little doubt about who came out on top.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa faced off in the second New York City mayoral debate in Long Island City, Queens, on Oct. 22, 2025. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“He had a good night. He landed more punches and exposed weaknesses in Mamdani’s presentation. He presented doubts about Mamdani.”
Check out how The Post’s group of bipartisan experts scored each candidate:
Andrew Cuomo: A to A+
After a disappointing showing in last week’s first debate, the seasoned three-term governor took control of the stage, launching a series of sharp, pointed attacks that left opponents reeling.
This time, he effectively hammered home the point that Mamdani, just 34 and a state assemblyman, was too green for City Hall, repeatedly forcing him onto the ropes, according to the panelists.
"He was tonight’s big winner. An A+," Republican strategist Rob Ryan said of the veteran Democrat.
“Cuomo was the only candidate who appeared ready to lead on day one. His attack on Mamdani’s lack of experience was strong, on target, and seemed to rattle Mamdani.”
During the final NYC mayoral debate on Oct. 22, 2025, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo engaged Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in a tense exchange. Spectrum News NY1
Andrew Kirtzman, a veteran communications expert, gave Cuomo high marks — adding, "if he had performed this well all year, he might not be in the situation he is in now."
“Cuomo had his best night of his campaign — he was sharp, quick and brutal in his attacks on Mamdani,” Kirtzman said.
“It was a reminder of the formidable, feared figure he was as governor. He has seemed diminished for much of this campaign. Not tonight.”
For perhaps the first time, Cuomo successfully confronted Mamdani over antisemitism and left the left-leaning candidate shaken by pointing out his smiling photo with a Ugandan politician notorious for anti-gay rhetoric, according to the experts.
“When Cuomo attacked him over the gay-hating Ugandan official, Mamdani became visibly nervous. During his response, his eyelids were flapping faster than a Monarch butterfly on its way to Mexico,” quipped Ryan.
Zohran Mamdani: B- to D
The normally confident front-runner faltered unexpectedly, appearing stunned as his rivals landed sharp attacks.
"He seemed rattled by Cuomo’s pounding attacks on his lack of experience. It wiped away his usual smirk and he had no real response," Ryan said, giving Mamdani a D.
According to the panelists, one of Mamdani’s most damaging moments in the debate was entirely self-inflicted.
The normally confident front-runner, Zohran Mamdani, faltered unexpectedly, appearing stunned as his opponents landed sharp blows. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
He refused to weigh in on a ballot measure meant to ease the construction of affordable housing — even though he says he champions the cause.
"His lack of specifics on key issues like ballot initiatives gave Cuomo and Sliwa an opening to go on the attack," Democratic operative and lobbyist Yvette Buckner said.
“The oxygen went out of the room,” Miringoff said, as Mamdani sidestepped a clear position on the housing initiative.
“That was the closest you can get to an ‘aha’ moment. He looked a lot like a politician for the first time. He was hemming and hawing. He was inconsistent. He was dodging,” the pollster said.
“Cuomo and Sliwa were literally laughing at him from both sides,” Kirtzman observed, highlighting how cornered he appeared.
"Mamdani is an extremely talented debater but he seemed besieged," he said, adding that the Democratic nominee still managed to walk away with a B-.
Curtis Sliwa: A
Sliwa scored a few breakout moments, distinguishing himself from both Mamdani and Cuomo, according to the panelists.
“Sliwa had a terrific night. He has grown as a candidate this year — it’s impressive,” Kirtzman said.
Sliwa repeatedly delivered sharp zingers at Cuomo, echoing the attacks he launched against Mamdani.
"The allegations of sexual harassment continued to haunt Cuomo. They reinforce people’s negatives about him," Miringoff said of the attacks launched by both of his rivals.
Sliwa delivered a few breakout moments, distinguishing himself from both Mamdani and Cuomo, according to the panelists. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Experts noted that Sliwa shined while taking aim at a law Cuomo signed as governor, which raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18.
Cuomo defended his decision to sign the contentious Raise the Age bill, which mandates that certain teens who commit violent crimes be treated as juveniles instead of adults, and Mamdani echoed his backing.
Sliwa railed against the law, recalling that his son Anthony was attacked by juveniles who got off with just a slap on the wrist rather than facing serious consequences.
“No one wanted to mix with Sliwa on that one,” Miringoff said.
What to Know Before the Nov. 4 Election
Democratic operative Ken Frydman said Cuomo and Sliwa “probably each picked up polling points” thanks to the debate.
“But it’s highly unlikely either of them can close the wide gap against Mamdani before the Nov. 4 election," he said.
The Democratic Socialists of America candidate has benefited from a divided opposition, with Cuomo and Sliwa splitting the vote against Mamdani.
“The problem for Cuomo, though, is that he needed both of them [Mamdani and Sliwa] to have a bad night,” Kirtzman said.
Democratic operative Ken Frydman said Cuomo and Sliwa “probably each picked up polling points” following the debate. Spectrum News NY1
“If Sliwa’s numbers don’t fall, there is no way Cuomo can win.”
The panelists noted that Mamdani had a few standout moments, such as leaking to the media his plan to retain Jessica Tisch as police commissioner ahead of the debate — then openly confirming it when questioned on stage.
The step was designed to reassure voters worried that Mamdani, once an advocate for defunding the police, wouldn’t take a tough stance on crime.
He had a particularly clever moment that caught everyone’s attention.
“A key moment is when Mamdani said he would list Sliwa second on his ranked choice ballot [if there was one for the general election],” said John Mollenkopf, director of CUNY’s Center for Urban Research.
“It was two against one and Cuomo came out the worse for it.”
The panel largely agreed that Sliwa and Cuomo stole the spotlight, leaving Mamdani with a subdued performance.
“Mamdani had the weakest performance in this debate. The race might tighten up a little bit. It may be too little, too late. We’ll find out,” Miringoff said.
