Students observe what New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani has to say. LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
Laili Shahrestani, Features Editor
On the evening of Oct. 16, a mayoral election debate watch party was held on the first floor of Kelly Commons. Students and faculty members gathered to observe the New York City mayoral candidates – Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa – as they debated on live television. The event served as a place for individuals to gain better insight on each candidate, discuss their thoughts with peers in a respectful manner and potentially even make up their mind on who they want to vote for, as New York City will officially elect its next mayor on Nov. 4 – less than a month away. The Quadrangle spoke with a number of Jaspers in regards to their thoughts on the event, and what they got out of it.
Seamus Byrne ‘27, mechanical engineering major
The Quadrangle: Why do you think it’s important for students to pay attention to local elections like this?
Seamus Byrne: We’re such a heavy commuter school and a lot of people already live in New York City or in the surrounding areas, so their lives are directly affected with the political state of the city and who’s running it. So if the “wrong” person is elected, then for however many years that’s going to be an issue. Like, people might not be able to get as good of transportation, or whatever it may be.
TQ: What does it feel like to watch a mayoral debate while living in the city it’s about?
SB: Honestly, it’s interesting just because of how it will affect our lives going forward. Like, you don’t know what your future holds, and the candidates do determine a big part of it.
TQ: How does watching together with other students change the experience compared to watching alone?
SB: For me, I’m not too knowledgeable about politics, so if I have any questions, I know I can ask someone who’s more knowledgeable to help me understand.
TQ: What is one key takeaway from the debate or something you were looking forward to learning?
SB: I want to learn more about both candidates. I’m not super political, so I want to know more about them before forming an opinion.
Lucas Haas ‘26, environmental studies major
The Quadrangle: Why do you think it’s important for students to pay attention to local elections like this?
Lucas Haas: I think it’s important for us to pay attention to this because we are going to school here for at least a couple years at a time. It’s good to see who’s going to be leading the city in the future, and to at least try and have something on our minds. Even if someone can’t vote, they could at least speak their voice publicly and whatnot.
TQ: What does it feel like to watch a mayoral debate while living in the city it’s about?
LH: I guess you can say surreal, because we can see and hear about all the issues that they’re talking about and it’s more impactful on us here. It’s not a presidential debate where some of the issues are larger and broader and not so much affected. It’s definitely stuff that you hear about and see all the time.
TQ: How does watching together with other students change the experience compared to watching alone?
LH: In a group, you get to hear everyone’s reactions, and laugh at all the crazy comments. But also, you get to talk about it together and kind of respect what the candidates are saying.
TQ: What is one key takeaway from the debate or something you were looking forward to learning?
LH: One thing I’ve learned is that I still have not made up my mind. If I were to vote, I don’t know who I would vote for yet. I’m definitely learning more about themselves, like as candidates, because I haven’t really seen any of them in debates yet.
Lindsay Quintanilla ‘29, political science major
The Quadrangle: Why do you think it’s important for students to pay attention to local elections like this?
Lindsay Quintanilla: I think it’s important because students need to educate themselves in order to vote correctly about what they believe. You also don’t want to like someone that isn’t going to be good for the city, right? Just listening to it helps you make sure you stay educated.
TQ: What does it feel like to watch a mayoral debate while living in the city it’s about?
LQ: I find it interesting. I’m thinking about what’s going to happen next, who’s going to get elected and how this is going to change the city for the good or for the bad.
TQ: How does watching together with other students change the experience compared to watching alone?
LQ: I like watching people’s reactions. I feel like it makes it more interesting, especially when seeing how other people are interested in it as well.
TQ: What is one key takeaway from the debate or something you were looking forward to learning?
LQ: Just anything more in general. I do not know too much about the election, which I should because I’m here now, but I’m originally from Atlanta. So yeah, I just want to learn more about everything.