Takeaways From the NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary Debate

A total of nine candidates competing to replace Adams made it to the stage.

(L-R) Democratic mayoral candidates Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson, Zohran Mamdani, Michael Blake, and Scott Stringer participate in the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at NBC Studios in New York City on June 4, 2025. Yuki Iwamura-Pool/Getty Images

A crowded field of Democrats took to the debate stage on June 4 to vie for their party’s nomination to lead New York City as mayor.

The party has been rocked by since-withdrawn corruption charges filed against Mayor Eric Adams by the Biden administration and by an electorate that has become more socially conservative on key issues such as policing, public safety, and criminal justice.