The three candidates in New York City’s mayoral race took to the debate stage for the final time on Wednesday less than two weeks out from Election Day.

There was no shortage of fireworks between Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D), former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s now running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, with Cuomo and Sliwa frequently ganging up on Mamdani.

However, with numerous polls continuing to show Mamdani on an apparent glide path to the mayor’s office, it’s unclear if Wednesday’s debate will move the needle.

Here are five takeaways from the final New York City mayoral debate.

Cuomo-Mamdani rivalry turns into a knife fight

The final debate was Cuomo’s last chance to put Mamdani on defense on stage and position himself as the safest option to lead New York. Cuomo repeatedly chided Mamdani for what he said was his inexperience and pie-in-the-sky ideas. Cuomo also sought to back Mamdani into a corner over criticism he has received over his views on Israel.

“I did things. You’ve never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything. There’s no reason to believe you merit or qualification for eight and a half million lives," Cuomo said. “You never showed up for work and you missed eighty percent of the votes. Shame on you."

Mamdani came prepared for Cuomo, referring to him as “a desperate man” who is losing power and will “amplify rightwing talking points.” The progressive assemblyman also referred to the former governor as “Donald Trump’s puppet.”........

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