Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old newcomer, has leveraged social media and progressive ideas to challenge Andrew Cuomo, a 67-year-old Democratic Party veteran.
In the first New York City mayoral debate, the generational divide within the Democratic Party was evident. Cuomo, a former governor and member of Democratic royalty, emphasized his extensive experience, including nearly eleven years as governor and service in the Clinton administration.
"This is no job for on-the-job training,"
Cuomo said, portraying Mamdani as a novice with left-leaning ideas. Mamdani's resume includes an internship with his mother, which Cuomo cited as evidence of his lack of experience.
Author's summary: Mamdani challenges Cuomo in NYC mayoral debate.