Election season in New York City is never short on spectacle, but the 2025 mayoral race has managed to raise the stakes yet again. On October 22, at the second and final debate before Election Day, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani made a bold move: he invited Charlotte Bennett and Karen Hinton—two women whose accusations of sexual harassment led to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021—to sit in the audience. The debate, held at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, quickly became a flashpoint for questions of accountability, political theater, and the future of city leadership.
Mamdani’s decision, as reported by amNY and ABC7NY, was more than symbolic. During the cross-examination portion of the debate, he used his sole question for Cuomo to spotlight Bennett’s presence. "She cannot speak up for herself, because you lodged a defamation case against her. I, however, can speak," Mamdani declared, referencing ongoing legal constraints that, according to his campaign, have "effectively silenced" Bennett. This moment was charged with emotion and controversy, echoing a practice with deep roots in American politics—using debate guests as living reminders of unresolved scandals.
Cuomo, now running as an Independent, responded forcefully. He reminded viewers that the accusations had been litigated and not upheld in either civil or criminal court. "If you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature," Cuomo said, dismissing Mamdani’s tactic as a distraction. His campaign doubled down the next day, with spokesman Rich Azzopardi calling the move "a stunt, a gimmick, a magic trick" and arguing, "You need more than illusions to run for mayor." Azzopardi insisted that such tactics were only used when a candidate lacked substance, asserting, "If the goal was to rattle Andrew Cuomo, that goal certainly fell short."
The debate over Mamdani’s strategy quickly became a microcosm of a larger dilemma in American politics: how to balance the need for accountability with the imperative for substantive, policy-driven debate. Jaci Clement, CEO of the Fair Media Council, weighed in, warning that inviting accusers to debates risks turning victims into props and shifting focus away from critical policy issues. "Accountability is essential, but so is fairness," Clement told amNY. "When candidates use accusations as a campaign tactic, it can be seen as exploiting the victim on one end of the spectrum and as political theater on the other." She added, "As a strategy, it pulls attention from the policy issues voters need to hear."
The accusations against Cuomo, which date back at least five years, were investigated by lawyers appointed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James in 2021. They found that Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women, including Bennett, but no criminal charges were ever filed. Cuomo has denied all claims. The scandal forced his resignation in August 2021, amid mounting criticism and threats of impeachment. Bennett later sued Cuomo in 2022, dropped the suit in 2024, and settled with New York State this year. According to Mamdani’s campaign, Bennett has not been in the same room as Cuomo since 2020 and has been "effectively silenced by Cuomo, who has repeatedly filed legal summons for defamation, intended to prevent her from speaking about the case."
Cuomo’s team, meanwhile, has sought to turn the spotlight back on Mamdani, highlighting the Democratic nominee’s limited experience in public service and resurfacing old social media posts critical of the NYPD. "The people we brought to the debate are longtime supporters and volunteers who were excited about attending the debate," Azzopardi said, emphasizing that Cuomo’s own guests were there as a thank you for their dedication rather than to make a political point.
This tactic of inviting controversial figures or accusers to high-profile debates is not new. In 2016, Donald Trump famously held a press conference with women who accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct before a presidential debate, drawing attention away from policy and toward personal scandal. In 2020, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi invited gun reform advocate Fred Guttenberg to the State of the Union, leading to an emotional moment that briefly interrupted the proceedings. These maneuvers, while dramatic, often leave voters yearning for clarity on practical governance, as both amNY and ABC7NY have noted.
Despite the theatrics, the numbers tell their own story. According to polling data compiled by The New York Times, Mamdani has maintained a double-digit lead over Cuomo in the final weeks before Election Day. Recent polls from Quinnipiac University and Victory Insights show Mamdani ahead by margins ranging from 13 to 18 points. The most recent Quinnipiac poll put Mamdani at 46 percent to Cuomo’s 33 percent—a significant gap, though not necessarily insurmountable as voter turnout and last-minute shifts could still play a decisive role. Notably, Mamdani’s support was underestimated in primary polling, with his numbers surging in the final weeks and ultimately winning the Democratic nomination with more than 56 percent after ranked-choice tabulation.
Polling experts caution that the volatility of voter sentiment in New York City, especially with high-profile debates and controversies, can make predictions tricky. Ruth Igielnik, a polling editor at The New York Times, observed, "Polls largely underestimated Mamdani’s support in the Democratic primary, illustrating just how difficult it can be to accurately poll primary elections."
If the debates and poll numbers suggest anything, it’s that New Yorkers are paying attention. Early voting numbers reported by ABC7NY and the NYC Board of Elections show nearly 80,000 ballots cast in the first two days—a robust start that underscores the city’s engagement in this pivotal contest. Brooklyn and Manhattan have led in turnout, with Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island following. The race has prompted daily campaign appearances by Mamdani, Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, each working to connect with voters and shape the final days of the campaign narrative.
Endorsements have also played a role in shaping perceptions. Andrew Cuomo received a recent boost from the editorial board of the New York Daily News, which cited his experience and record in office as grounds for support. Endorsements in New York City often carry symbolic weight, reflecting the city’s complex political landscape and the balancing act between legacy, reform, and public perception. Still, Mamdani’s campaign is betting that a focus on accountability and transparency will resonate with voters weary of scandals and eager for change, while Cuomo’s team leans into his experience and ability to manage the city’s massive workforce and challenges.
As the final days tick down, the mayoral contest is no longer just about who can stage the most memorable debate moment. It’s about who can convince voters they’re equipped to govern—balancing the demands of accountability, fairness, and practical leadership. The tension between spectacle and substance remains, but with high early turnout, dynamic polling, and heated debate tactics, the race for New York City mayor is shaping up to be a test not just of political skill, but of the city’s appetite for change and its expectations of those seeking to lead. New Yorkers, it seems, are demanding more than theatrics—they want leadership that can deliver both integrity and results.
