****

Democratic mayoral candidates in New York City are under scrutiny as the Republican National Committee (RNC) takes aim at their immigration policies following a recent debate. As the race for the mayor's office heats up in deep-blue New York City, these candidates face criticism for their stances on protecting undocumented immigrants.

RNC Research singled out City Council Member Adrienne Adams, accusing her on social media of pledging to protect "criminal illegal aliens" and maintaining New York as a sanctuary city. Adams was not alone in facing attacks; Comptroller Brad Lander and State Sen. Jessica Ramos were also criticized for their immigration policies. Lander was accused of planning to warn undocumented immigrants about ICE operations and aiming to reinstate their taxpayer-funded health care. Ramos, on the other hand, was targeted for proposing the use of taxpayer money to fund legal services for undocumented residents.

State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani was also in the crosshairs. The RNC highlighted his commitment to using tax dollars to cover health care for undocumented immigrants. These criticisms reflect a broader Republican strategy that has been effective in previous elections, focusing on immigration as a key issue.

Immigration was not the only contentious topic during the debate. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo faced renewed scrutiny over past controversies, including business connections, sexual assault allegations, and even the use of artificial intelligence in his campaign. Despite these attacks, it remains unclear whether Cuomo's standing in the polls will be significantly impacted.

Some of Cuomo's opponents shared their thoughts post-debate. State Sen. Jessica Ramos expressed frustration over voters' seeming indifference to harassment allegations. Meanwhile, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie noted that the debate marked a critical point where voters are beginning to pay closer attention to the candidates. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani pointed out Cuomo's unwillingness to show regret or accountability, drawing a parallel with former President Donald Trump.

Additionally, an old remark from Cuomo resurfaced during the debate. Former State Assemblymember Michael Blake brought up a racially insensitive comment Cuomo made in 2008, criticizing his use of the phrase "shuck and jive" in reference to election candidates. Cuomo's team had clarified at the time that his comments were more general and not aimed at Barack Obama directly. Nevertheless, this remark made its way back into the conversation, highlighting the enduring impact of past statements on current political discourse.

The debate also saw notable criticisms from within the party, with Mamdani even having previously called former President Obama "pretty damn evil" in a report from the New York Post. Despite the heated exchanges and various criticisms, some key issues such as congestion pricing and public housing received little to no attention during the debate.

As the campaign moves forward, the candidates and their policies will continue to be scrutinized, with the next debate slated to provide further insights into the potential future leadership of New York City.