New York mayoral debate: Zohran Mamdani wants | Political News

Opponents of New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani accused him of wanting to legalize prostitution during a televised debate Thursday night. With election day three weeks away, it was one of their last alternatives to contest the self-described Democratic socialist’s overwhelming reputation.

As tensions flared throughout the controversy between Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa and the newly designated unbiased Andrew Cuomo, one issue highlighted by moderators was Mamdani’s view on intercourse work. The idea has been a constant line of assault for Cuomo in latest weeks, who claims that Mamdani is in favor of legalizing prostitution.

Mamdani, as he has said when beforehand questioned about his views on intercourse work, reiterated on Thursday that he’s in favor of decriminalizing the apply, which means he’s against pursuing arrests and prosecution against intercourse employees. He has argued that Cuomo’s makes an attempt to paint him as an extremist in favor of making prostitution legal are smears, as polls show Mamdani retains a double-digit lead.

Cuomo has criticized Mamdani for not stating in concrete phrases whether or not he helps laws that would take away felony penalties for those 18 years previous and older who take part in intercourse work.

Mamdani “would bring New York City back to the bad old days of rampant crime, decreased public safety and deteriorating quality of life,” Cuomo has said.

Mamdani said, however, that if elected, he would closely emulate the actions of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who led the city during a time of significant decline in arrests of sex workers.

“Zohran will return to the decriminalization approach taken by the de Blasio administration, which means he’ll end raids on sex workers and work with District Attorneys to reduce unnecessary prosecutions,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a assertion. “This will permit New York City to more effectively combat sex trafficking, reduce exploitation, and keep our communities safe.”

In recent months, Mamdani has been unafraid to confront Trump for his meddling in the city’s mayoral race and threats that the White House would withhold funds from New York City should he win.

The 33-year-old Mamdani declared during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday: “I will not be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo who will call you and ask how to win this election. I can do those issues on my own.

“I will, however, be a mayor who’s ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That’s the way I am going to lead this city, that’s the partnership I want to build – not only with Washington D.C. but with anyone across this country.

“I feel it is important because too often the main target on the wants of working class Americans and working class New Yorkers are put to the aspect as we discuss more and more about the very sort of corrupt politicians like Andrew Cuomo that delivered us into this sort of disaster.”