NEW YORK (AP) — The spotlight turns to New York City as the first mayoral debate unfolds on Thursday, featuring Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, both eager to derail the progress of Democratic contender Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani previously bested the influential former New York governor during the primaries this summer.

As Cuomo enters the race as an independent, the debate represents a pivotal moment for him to capture voter support and argue against Mamdani’s candidacy. It’s a critical opportunity for Cuomo to rejuvenate his political career after stepping down as governor four years ago amidst a storm of sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. Nonetheless, the scandal, along with other controversies from his governorship, continues to shadow him.

In contrast, Mamdani, a 33-year-old advocate of democratic socialism, holds a stronger position. However, he faces the challenge of deflecting two hours of intense scrutiny from Cuomo while preserving the optimistic and appealing image that has defined his campaign thus far.

For Sliwa, the vibrant founder of the Guardian Angels crime prevention organization, the debate marks a chance to pull off a surprising win in a predominantly Democratic city. During his last mayoral bid as the Republican candidate, he captured nearly 30% of the vote. This time, Sliwa aims to capitalize on a potential split in the Democratic vote between Mamdani and Cuomo, while rallying support from Republicans and moderates to clinch victory.

Meanwhile, Sliwa, the colorful creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, hopes to land a major upset in the deeply blue city. Sliwa received almost 30% of the vote when he last ran as the GOP candidate four years ago. This time around he’s hoping Mamdani and Cuomo split the Democratic vote while he secures Republicans and centrists to come out on top.

The race has catapulted Mamdani to national political stardom, with Republicans, including President Donald Trump, trying to turn him into the face of the Democratic Party by highlighting his most controversial past comments and positions and casting him as dangerous, a communist, and an antisemite.

Trump has threatened to arrest Mamdani, to deport him and even to take over the city if he wins. Mamdani is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Mamdani has tried to distance himself from some of his past statements, including calling the New York Police Department “a major threat to public safety,” and his refusal, during the Democratic primary, to disavow use of the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which is seen as a call to violence for many Jews.

Mamdani’s brand of economic populism — a laser focus on lowering the city’s astronomical cost of living through the idea that government should do more to help the lower and middle classes instead of the wealthy — has generated buzz and excitement.

At the same time, the state assemblyman’s calls to raise taxes on the wealthy and intense criticisms of the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives. That’s where Cuomo’s rebooted campaign sees its path to victory.

The former governor has painted Mamdani as a potentially dangerous leader who would lead the city into financial and social ruin, while casting himself as a competent manager who can handle the city’s expansive bureaucracy and finances.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, suspended his reelection campaign late last month, after being deeply wounded by a now-dismissed federal corruption case and his relationship with the Trump administration.

A poll of New York City likely voters conducted by Quinnipiac University in early October, after Adams ended his bid for a second term, found that Mamdani continued to hold a lead over Cuomo. The poll suggested that Cuomo may have benefited somewhat from Adams’ departure, but the current mayor’s exit did not appear to have a meaningful impact on the state of the race.

Adams was not included in the poll but remains on the November ballot because he didn’t withdraw his candidacy before a balloting deadline.

The candidates are scheduled to meet for a second and final debate next week.