Socialist upstart candidate Zohran Mamdani entered the first general mayoral election debate as the front-runner and left the same way --despite some strong performances from his rivals, a Post panel of political experts said. 

Socialist Zohran Mamdani skirted tough questions and offered few specifics as he smoothly swatted off a barrage of attacks from ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo during a heated first general mayoral election debate Thursday.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was quick out of the gate to contrast Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s lack of experience with his decades in politics.

“It’'s time to to start fresh,” a source familiar with the party’s plans said.

Mayor Eric Adams new domestic violence unit comes just two months before he leaves office -- and clashes with plans by mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.