Candidates Clash Over Future of New York in First Mayoral Debate
The eight Democrats competing to win the June 22 primary presented divergent views on how to lead the city in a sometimes acerbic debate.
Credit.Spectrum News NY1 & the NYC Campaign Finance Board
May 13, 2021
The two leading candidates in the New York City mayor’s race battled to protect their advantages in a hard-hitting Democratic debate on Thursday evening while their six rivals grasped for breakout moments, sought to redefine the stakes of the contest and put forth their own visions for the struggling city.
The contenders clashed over government experience, ideology and public safety in confrontations that sometimes devolved into acrid personal attacks.
Andrew Yang behaved, and was attacked, like a front-runner. Maya Wiley came out swinging. And all eight candidates tried to stand out in an awkward virtual debate format.
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The two-hour debate is unfolding in a moment of economic uncertainty for New York City, and against a backdrop of a spike in gun violence.
Kathryn Garcia and Andrew Yang, at an Earth Day celebration last month in Queens, will be among eight mayoral candidates participating in Thursday’s debate.Credit.Hilary Swift for The New York Times
May 12, 2021, 6:51 p.m. ET
For many months, the most consequential New York City mayor’s race in a generation has been overshadowed by a pandemic, upheaval in Washington and political burnout in the aftermath of the presidential election.
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Alternate-side parking: Suspended today for Solemnity of the Ascension and Eid al-Fitr.
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Credit.Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
They’ve been overshadowed by the pandemic and national politics. But now it’s their turn in the spotlight.
This evening, Democratic candidates in New York City’s mayoral race will convene virtually for the first of three official primary debates. For weeks, they have pored over policy briefings, huddled with advisers and held full-on mock sessions in preparation.
The debate, co-hosted by Spectrum News NY1, will serve as one of the clearest opportunities to date for voters to become acquainted with the candidates and their ideas.