Cuomo Criticizes Mayoral Candidate Mamdani
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) didn’t hold back on Sunday when he labeled Democratic mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani (D) as “the most divisive candidate I’ve ever had in New York.”
Cuomo pointed out that Mamdani has alienated the Jewish community and went on to say, “We alienated the Italian community. We angered the LGBTQ community…” during an appearance on a radio show hosted by John Catsimatidis. He expressed his frustrations, stating, “He made everyone angry.” Cuomo has also suggested that Mamdani is in favor of controversial policies, such as decriminalizing prostitution, which he argues contradicts certain community values.
Throughout the interview, Cuomo scrutinized Mamdani’s policies, describing him as someone who has scared many people. He criticized some of Mamdani’s main proposals, like offering free buses and implementing a rent freeze, saying, “When you get a little older and a little more mature, you realize that nothing is free… the fact that he’s not qualified is actually very dangerous.”
As for Mamdani’s prospects for the upcoming election on Tuesday, Cuomo warned that “people will die” should any major disaster occur in the city under Mamdani’s leadership.
Recent polling from Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill indicates that Cuomo is trailing Mamdani by 25 points, with support at 50% for Mamdani. Republican Curtis Sliwa follows with 21% support, as Cuomo has tried to position Sliwa as a potential spoiler for Mamdani.
Spencer Kimball, the executive director of the Emerson College Poll, noted that Mamdani seems to be gaining ground across key demographics, particularly among black voters, where his approval rating has surged from 50% to 71% since last month. Conversely, Cuomo has seen a decline among that same voter group.
Mamdani is widely anticipated to win the election on November 4, even with backing from current New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg for Cuomo. While Mamdani hasn’t received an endorsement from former President Obama, it was reported that Obama praised him for his campaign during a recent phone call.
In a separate note, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been investigating Cuomo’s management of nursing homes during the early days of the 2020 pandemic. This follows inquiries from a House Republican committee that called for Cuomo’s indictment over statements made regarding nursing home policies during that time.
Cuomo has acknowledged having some responsibility for the decisions made back then, as statistics show New York state recorded around 15,000 COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
