Social Democratic Party New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani could be seen smiling awkwardly for 18 seconds during Wednesday night's debate after being called out for not directly answering a question and then failing to answer again.
Mamdani, along with independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, took on stage for their second debate to discuss potential policies they plan to implement if elected. Immediately after Mamdani answered a question about housing, the moderator pressed him on his position regarding “issues regarding changes to the city’s housing bylaw.”
“I'm grateful that these measures will be on the ballot and that New Yorkers will be able to vote for them. I know we desperately need to build more housing in this city, and I also know that the jobs we create by building that housing must be good ones as well,” Mamdani said.
“What a political answer!” – Sliva shouted. “What is your opinion, Zoran?”
As the crowd became increasingly vocal about the conversation, Cuomo could be heard saying it was a “yes or no” question asked of the candidate. (RELATED: Socialist Mamdani Campaigns at Terrorism Linked Imam Mosque)
However, the moderator intervened, saying he had the situation under control, before responding to Mamdani and noting that he “didn’t answer the question.”
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“I think you can see two people on stage appealing to the Republican Party vote,” Mamdani responded, as other candidates and the crowd resisted.
The moderator addressed Mamdani a third time, again asking, “Do you support the three amendment questions on the ballot?”
“I have not yet taken a position on these ballot amendment issues,” Mamdani said.
“Oh, what a shock!” – Cuomo said. “What a shock. Once he takes it, he'll change it anyway.”
During Oct. 16 mayoral debate, Mamdini also also also bypassed question about approving New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, despite her recent support his.
Mamdani said a decision “must be made after the elections,” while trying to praise Khochul for her work in the state. Cuomo responded by asking why Mamdani would not support the Democratic governor, prompting Mamdani to reiterate that he appreciated her support and work.
With Election Day less than two weeks away, polls show Mamdani on track to potentially win the New York City mayoral election. Recent Patriots Poll survey registered voters see Mamdani in the lead with 43% support, followed by Cuomo with 32% and Sliwa with 19%.
If elected in November, Mamdani said he plans implement policies such as raising the minimum wage to $30, opening government-run grocery stores, and taxing “richer and whiter” areas.
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