“I hope Mamdani is going to give out free Xanax,” said Caroline Leventhal, a lifelong Upper East Sider who co-founded “Mic’d and Medicated,” a podcast that dissects the lifestyle of cosmetic surgeries and private ski instructors. “It’s hard to be chill and relaxed.”

New York mayoral candidates faced off in their first debate as voters prepare to choose the next person to lead America’s biggest city.

In addition to policy issues, the candidates also made revealing statements as they were asked about their weekly grocery bills and whether they had bought legal marijuana.