Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo closes gap against NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani as Quinnipiac poll shows the race tightening ahead of November election.

The two candidates meet Thursday night in their first general election debate after having debated twice during the Democratic primary. Republican Curtis Sliwa joins them.

Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has criticized Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani over his past support for decriminalizing prostitution. Mr. Mamdani’s campaign has not emphasized the issue.

In a new ad for New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, several "Survivor" alumni are voting Andrew Cuomo off the island.

Sources tell CBS News New York Adams, a moderate Democrat, is considering backing Andrew Cuomo, even though he has frequently criticized the former governor. "We're still having conversations," Adams said.

The mayoral race is commanding national attention, with major policy, demographic and ideological shifts at stake.

“We have the lowest level of police we’ve had in modern political history,” Cuomo said, attributing the staffing shortage to the “defund the police” movement that “took a billion dollars out of the police budget.” He proposed adding 5,000 officers, with 1,500 specifically assigned to subway patrols, and raising police salaries to attract recruits.

“Andrew Cuomo threatened to cut $500 million from CUNY in 2016 because his entire record as governor is one which was marked by consistently protecting the pockets of billionaires at the expense of working people,” Mamdani said in a statement to POLITICO. “As Mayor, I will continue to make our CUNY schools affordable and fully funded.”

NYC's mayoral election reveals Wall Street's wealth gap. Staffers worried about cost of living back Mamdani, while their bosses donate to Cuomo.