Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced attacks from all fronts at the first New York City Democratic primary debate.

The nine candidates — Cuomo, former Assemblymember Michael Blake, City Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assemblymember and socialist Zohran Mamdani, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and businesswoman Whitney Tilson — faced off before the June 24 primary on Wednesday night.

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Though all are competing for the same spot, it quickly became apparent that the debate was really everyone vs. the clear favorite, Cuomo. The former governor, who has maintained a double-digit lead over all his competitors in every major poll, faced blistering criticism over his COVID-19 response, sexual assault allegations, alleged corruption, relationship with President Donald Trump, alleged racism, and relationship with the defund the police initiative, among other issues.

Several candidates, especially Mamdani, tied nearly every answer back to Cuomo.

“Tonight, I’ll show you that I’m the only one in this race with the progressive values to make the city more affordable, with the public integrity to sweep away the corruption of Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo,” Lander said in his 30-second introductory statement.

Mamdani used his introduction to lay out a swathe of welfare programs, which he pledged to pay for by “taxing the 1%, the billionaires and the profitable corporations that Mr. Cuomo cares more about than working-class New Yorkers.

Time was a frequent issue at the debate, with candidates sparring with moderators regularly. Many used their brief time to land their best jabs at the former governor, including the underdog Blake.

“The people who don’t feel safe are the young women, mothers, and grandmothers around Andrew Cuomo. That’s the greatest threat to public safety,” he said during the segment about crime and public safety.

Cuomo was repeatedly confronted by both the moderators and his opponents on the most hot-button criticisms of the former governor: his COVID-19 response, response to the “defund the police” movement, and sexual assault allegations. He dodged directly answering, bringing even more criticism.

On the subject of defund the police, he was pressed by others as to whether or not he said to “defund the police” as governor, given his current criticism of the idea. He responded by repeatedly saying he “never supported defund the police,” though he eventually acknowledged that he might have said the words.

After initially dodging a straightforward answer on the sexual assault allegations against him, Cuomo remained distant when pressed by a moderator.

“A report was done four years ago making certain allegations. I said at the time that it was political and it was false. Five district attorneys, Democratic, Republican … looked at it all across the state, found absolutely nothing,” he said.

Cuomo wasn’t the only star of the show, however. Trump was mentioned over 80 times, according to an analysis by the New York Times, nearly always as a target to be bashed. The candidates partially pitched themselves as best fit for mayor based on how they would fight the president.

“I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in,” Mamdani said.

Later, the socialist candidate attempted to tie Trump and Cuomo together, saying, “The difference between myself and Andrew Cuomo is that my campaign is not funded by the very billionaires who put Donald Trump in D.C.”

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Cuomo tied his experience critique of Mamdani into the issue of Trump when his turn came.

“Donald Trump would go through Mr. Mamdani like a hot knife through butter,” Cuomo quipped. “He’s been in government 27 minutes. He passed three bills.”