During a heated debate Wednesday night, New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa clashed over experience and how they would handle relations with Donald Trump.

Cuomo emphasized his gubernatorial and federal experience, defending his record on laws, infrastructure, and the COVID-19 response, while Mamdani criticized Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and highlighted his legislative work for working-class New Yorkers.

The candidates sparred over potential Trump interference, with Mamdani calling out Cuomo for not explicitly naming Trump in statements about politicized investigations, while Sliwa positioned himself as a pragmatic middle ground to protect federal funding.

Cuomo also attacked Mamdani’s lack of executive experience, saying the city’s $115 billion budget and 300,000 employees require proven management skills, ABC News has reported.

The debate underscored sharp contrasts in experience, integrity, and strategy in dealing with Trump as New Yorkers consider their next mayor.