### Cuomo Faces Heat in Fiery New York City Mayoral Debate

In a heated two-hour debate in New York City, the spotlight was squarely on frontrunner Andrew Cuomo and former President Donald Trump. Cuomo, who resigned four years ago amid scandals, faced relentless criticism from his eight opponents. The contestants seized on past allegations of sexual harassment and his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which remains under federal investigation.

Former Assemblymember Michael Blake, trailing in single-digit polls, delivered a particularly sharp attack, asserting that Cuomo posed a threat to the safety of women around him. "The people who don't feel safe are the young women, mothers, and grandmothers around Andrew Cuomo," Blake stated. This line of attack encapsulates the strategy of Cuomo's rivals as they attempt to erode his lead with early voting just 10 days away.

The debate, co-sponsored by POLITICO and WNBC, brought together nine candidates. Alongside Cuomo and Blake were City Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and businessperson Whitney Tilson. Despite the varied issues discussed, the forum often dissolved into crosstalk, mostly targeting Cuomo’s contentious record.

In addition to taking on Cuomo, the candidates uniformly condemned Donald Trump, particularly denouncing his threats against Columbia University over claims the school failed its Jewish students. Lander managed to link Trump and Cuomo in his remarks, criticizing Cuomo's controversial $5 million contract for a Covid-era memoir and stating, “With all the corruption that's in Washington, we can't have corruption back here in New York City as well.”

Each contender aimed to chip away at Cuomo's lead, highlighting his reluctance to face reporters and participate in candidate forums. Blake revisited a 2008 quote in which Cuomo criticized candidates who "shuck and jive" as Barack Obama campaigned for president, calling Cuomo “allergic to accountability.” Adrienne Adams questioned Cuomo's inability to name a personal regret, lambasting his record on healthcare and his administration's slow response to Covid-19 in minority communities.

Stringer criticized Cuomo’s support for a controversial cashless bail law, while Cuomo counterpunched by accusing his opponents of supporting defund-the-police movements and questioning Mamdani's governmental experience. The former governor also accused Lander of approving contracts for organizations tied to his wife, which Lander flatly denied.

The debate underscored Cuomo's controversial past, particularly his nursing home policies during the Covid-19 pandemic. While Cuomo claims he followed federal guidelines, his administration was accused of undercounting nursing home deaths. Still, his campaign sees potential to spin the federal probe into a political asset, positioning Cuomo against Trump, who is unpopular in the city.

Ahead of the primary, Cuomo's campaign is buoyed by substantial financial backing, a super PAC, and key endorsements. Yet criticisms of his past governance on homelessness and mass transit persist, as do accusations of coordinating illegally with supportive super PACs.

In contrast, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a significant challenger, particularly among the democratic socialist base. Mamdani's policy proposals, like government-run grocery stores and no-cost childcare, promise drastic changes but face financial and legislative hurdles.

The debate, part of a contentious mayoral race, unfolded with a circus-like atmosphere outside NBC's studios. Union members and other supporters cheered their favored candidates. Cuomo, although arriving late, was greeted enthusiastically, indicative of his lingering support among key voter blocs.

As the primary approaches, the candidates’ fervent exchanges reveal a Democratic field eager to redefine New York City’s leadership amid profound political and social challenges.