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The second and final debate in New York City's mayoral race is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. The debate will feature Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Early voting begins Saturday, with Election Day on November 4.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner, holds a significant lead in the polls. He plans to focus on local issues and maintaining voter support. Mamdani has proposed auditing school vendor contracts as part of his campaign platform. According to ABC News, Mamdani said, "While my opponents are focused on speaking about each other and which one of them should drop out, my focus will be on New Yorkers themselves and the concerns I’ve heard from them."
Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, is urging Republican Curtis Sliwa to drop out, arguing that Sliwa's presence in the race could split votes and lead to a Mamdani victory. Cuomo has proposed that New York City take control of the subway system. As reported by The New York Post, Cuomo faces the challenge of overcoming Sliwa's disruption during the debate.
Curtis Sliwa, known for his role as the founder of the Guardian Angels, remains committed to the race despite pressure to withdraw. He has criticized Cuomo and is focused on maintaining his voter base. Sliwa emphasized in a campaign video that "the billionaires are not going to determine who the next mayor is. You, the people will," as noted by ABC News.
The debate will be broadcast live on Spectrum News NY1 and streamed on its website. Moderators include Errol Louis from NY1, Brian Lehrer from WNYC, and Katie Honan from THE CITY.
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