5 Takeaways From the First N.Y.C. Mayoral Debate

In the first debate of the New York City mayoral primary, the front-runner, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, was expected to be the focal point of attack for the other eight Democratic candidates onstage Wednesday night.

It did not take long for that expectation to be realized.

In his first real confrontation with his opponents in the race, Mr. Cuomo defended his handling of the pandemic, denied the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation and said he would not be swayed by the wealthy donors who have poured millions into groups allied with his campaign.

Mr. Cuomo, who has maintained a double-digit lead over the rest of the primary field in nearly every poll of the race, largely criticized Zohran Mamdani, the progressive state assemblyman who is in second place, as inexperienced and too far to the left. (The incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, is running as an independent in the general election in November and did not participate in the debate.)

The two-hour debate descended into chaos on more than one occasion, as the candidates shouted at one another, the cacophony worsening when the moderators jumped in to interrupt.

Here are five takeaways from the debate. The primary will be held June 24.

Cuomo and Trump were the common enemies.

Mr. Cuomo’s rivals were determined to highlight his baggage and force him to address it, which created moments at which the former governor appeared frustrated and dismissive of the accusations.

The federal investigation examining whether he lied to Congress about nursing home deaths during the pandemic? Mr. Cuomo said that it was politically motivated.