Zohran Mamdani’s odds of winning the 2025 New York mayoral election received a slight boost from one leading bookmaker but suffered a knock with another, following his heated final debate with independent rival Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Mamdani, a democratic socialist serving in the New York State Assembly, is hoping to win New York City’s mayoral election in November after beating Cuomo, a former governor of the state, in a June primary for the Democratic Party nomination.
Cuomo, who is running as an independent following the loss, is polling significantly behind Mamdani—with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in third place. A Mamdani win in November would be a significant win for the American left and would likely put the incoming New York mayor and the White House on a collision course.
What To Know
On Wednesday, Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa took part in the second and final of their televised New York mayoral debates. The candidates clashed over topics such as law enforcement, political experience, Israel and Gaza, and sexual harassment allegations.
Ahead of the debate, bookmaker Betfair offered odds of 1.03 (93 percent) on Mamdani winning the election. However, this deteriorated slightly to 1.12 (89 percent) after the debate before hitting 1.06 (93 percent) on Thursday morning.
By contrast, Cuomo was trading at 8 percent on Wednesday morning, but drifted to 6 percent on Thursday morning following the debate.
Separately, Star Sports was offering odds of 1/14 (93.3 percent) before the debate, but this shortened to 1/25 (96.2 percent) in the immediate aftermath. Over the same period, Cuomo’s odds with the bookmaker drifted from 6/1 (14.3 percent) to 8/1 (11.1 percent).
During the debate, Cuomo attacked Mamdani over his level of experience, saying the Democratic candidate had “never had a job” or “accomplished anything.”
Meanwhile, Mamdani asked Cuomo, “What do you say to the 13 women who you sexually harassed?”
Cuomo replied, “If you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature.” He added, “There were allegations of sexual harassment. They went to five district attorneys, fully litigated for four years. The cases were dropped.”
In 2021, Cuomo resigned as governor of New York following accusations that he sexually harassed multiple female employees.
What People Are Saying
William Kedjanyi, a political betting analyst at Star Sports, told Newsweek: “After the second, and final, New York City mayoral debate, it looks to be all over for Andrew Cuomo. The odds are locked in and Zohran Mamdani is lined up for a slam-dunk victory on November 4.
“Mamdani was already heavily odds-on following the first debate (1/14) but has since shortened even further into 1/25, with competitor Cuomo drifting to 8/1 from a previous price of 6/1.
“Last night’s debate got personal, with plenty of arguing over how best to deal with Donald Trump, but nothing seems to have dented Mamdani’s progress as he’s maintained his massive lead in the polls. It looks as though his firebrand campaigning, big promises and fresh offerings stand him in good stead for victory in the mayoral election.”
New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani wrote on X following the debate: “I will be a Mayor for every single New Yorker who calls this city home.”
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo wrote on X after the debate: “New York is the greatest City on the globe—and together, we will make it safer, more affordable & prosperous for all.”
What Happens Next
The New York City mayoral election is scheduled to take place on November 4.
