The New York City mayoral race took a fiery turn on June 12th at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in Manhattan. The first Democratic primary debate saw a head-to-head clash between the two leading contenders: former Governor Andrew Cuomo and state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. This highly anticipated event marked the first time these heavyweights faced off directly.

Cuomo, who served as New York’s governor for a decade (2011-2021) before resigning amidst sexual harassment allegations, has consistently held a commanding lead in the polls. Hypothetical matchups under the city’s ranked-choice voting system often show him polling above 60 percent.

However, the landscape is shifting. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old progressive candidate and Indian American immigrant from Queens, has been steadily gaining ground. Recent polls indicate he’s now trailing within the margin of error, signifying a tightening race and making this debate all the more crucial.