Bloomberg Endorses Cuomo Amid New York Mayoral Race

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reaffirmed his support for Andrew Cuomo on social media this past Wednesday. According to Bloomberg, Cuomo’s experience and resilience make him the ideal choice to lead the city as early voting begins.

“I endorsed Andrew Cuomo four months ago because I genuinely believe that his management skills and government experience set him apart for New Yorkers, and I stand by that today,” Bloomberg expressed on X. He continued, noting the ongoing early voting period, he wanted to restate his backing for Cuomo.

Bloomberg emphasized the challenges ahead, saying, “Being New York’s mayor is the second-toughest job in America, and the next mayor will face countless difficulties.” He highlighted that Cuomo possesses the necessary toughness and experience to advocate for New Yorkers effectively.

Amidst the mayoral race, recent polls show State Representative Zoran Mamdani maintaining a solid double-digit lead, yet Cuomo is reportedly closing the gap. Thus far, it seems Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, emerged as the surprise candidate, defeating nine others, including Cuomo, for the Democratic nomination back in June.

The latest Suffolk University poll indicates Mamdani at 44% among likely voters, while Cuomo trails closely with 34%. This poll was conducted shortly after incumbent Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Cuomo in his bid against Mamdani. Adams had initially sought re-election but later withdrew from the race.

While Cuomo has ramped up his criticism of Mamdani, warning of potential chaos following the latter’s victory, the responses reflect a critical tightening as election day approaches. On the other hand, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has garnered 11% support, with the other candidates receiving minimal percentages.

Bloomberg initially backed Cuomo just ahead of the primary on June 24, citing concerns for the city’s future as a reason for his endorsement. “I’ve watched our city face struggles since I left office, especially after the pandemic,” he noted then, underlining Cuomo’s unique qualifications.

The political landscape is shifting rapidly, and with just over a week until Election Day, it remains to be seen how the dynamics will evolve. Cuomo, now running as an independent after stepping down as governor in 2021 amidst various controversies, is positioning himself strategically against Mamdani’s lead.