June 6, 2025 New York City is abuzz as the Democratic primary for mayor intensifies, with just three weeks remaining until the June 24 primaries. A crowded field of nine candidates is vying for the top spot, and while consensus remains elusive on many fronts, a few key themes have emerged as central to their campaigns: protecting the city’s significant immigrant population, distancing themselves from the Trump administration, and, notably, launching concerted attacks on former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amidst a sexual harassment scandal, has surprisingly maintained a lead in all recent polls, making him a primary target for his fellow candidates.

Immigration Takes Center Stage in NYC Mayoral Debate

The first of two primary debates, held on Wednesday, offered a glimpse into the candidates' priorities and strategies. A particularly unifying topic for the Democratic hopefuls was immigration, a critically important issue in a city where nearly 40% of the population is of foreign origin. The recent influx of over 230,000 asylum seekers since spring 2022 has further strained New York City's resources and brought the issue to the forefront.

When pressed on how they would resist pressure from the Trump administration's mass detention and deportation campaigns, all candidates unequivocally stated their refusal to cooperate. They also criticized current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent after a 2021 Democratic run, for perceived concessions to the Trump administration on immigration.

Andrew Cuomo, despite being a frequent target, affirmed, "You cannot give in to Mr. Trump and his demands." Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist state legislator and a leading candidate behind Cuomo in the polls, took an even stronger stance, declaring New York City "under attack by an authoritarian Trump administration." Mamdani, who received a significant endorsement from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, further emphasized his connection to the issue, stating, "And I say that as someone who would be the first immigrant Mayor of this city in generations."

Accusations have surfaced that Mayor Adams collaborated with Trump's anti-immigrant efforts in exchange for the federal government dropping a corruption case against him. While Adams denies these claims, his administration has shown a tougher stance on immigration, including allowing immigration authorities to operate at Rikers Island jail, a move currently blocked by a judge.

New York is a designated sanctuary city, meaning local laws limit cooperation with federal immigration services. All Democratic candidates vocally supported this designation, despite Trump's declared opposition to such jurisdictions. They pledged to defend undocumented immigrants against federal raids. City Comptroller Brad Lander proudly highlighted his co-sponsorship of the city's sanctuary laws, asserting, "This is the future of New York City that we’re talking about."

Cuomo Under Fire: Sexual Harassment, Pandemic Response, and More

Beyond immigration, the debate's tone grew significantly less civil as candidates turned their focus to discrediting Andrew Cuomo. For two hours, the former governor fielded a barrage of attacks. These were not limited to the a dozen sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation, but also included his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which severely impacted the city, and a federal investigation into whether he misled Congress about his administration's management of nursing homes during the crisis.

Democratic candidates for mayor of New York speak during the primary debate on June 4.Associated Press/LaPresse (APN)

Key Issues Beyond Immigration: Housing and Public Safety

While immigration dominated the first segment, other critical issues for New York City voters include housing and affordability and public safety.

New York City faces an acute housing crisis, with some of the nation's highest average rents and historic low vacancy rates. All candidates, including Mayor Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa, have vowed to address this by building more affordable housing, though the specifics of their funding plans remain to be seen.

Public safety is another top concern. While Mayor Adams's administration has seen a decrease in murders and shootings, violent incidents like assaults and robberies have increased. The perception of a safety crisis is particularly strong concerning the city's subways, which serve approximately 3.6 million daily riders. Recent high-profile incidents, such as shootings and stabbings, have led to the current mayor's decision to militarize the train system.

Democratic candidates offer diverse approaches to public safety. Some advocate for hiring more police officers, while others prioritize investment in social and mental health services to assist homeless individuals and address root causes of crime.

As the primary date nears, voters will be closely watching how these candidates articulate their plans for New York City's future.