Rep. Clyburn Endorses Cuomo for NYC Mayor

South Carolina Democratic Representative James Clyburn has reaffirmed his support for former President Joe Biden during the 2020 Democratic primary, and he has also expressed his backing for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race for New York City mayor.

Clyburn, who was regarded as a prominent figure among African American politicians, mentioned to the Daily Call News Foundation that he feels “prideful to be joining New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo’s supporters.” South Carolina Democrats have noted that they see Cuomo as someone uniquely positioned to significantly impact the future of the Democratic Party.

“We are proud to support Andrew Cuomo for mayor of New York,” Clyburn stated. He added, “I have known Andrew since his time as secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration. We tackled housing and urban development issues together, striving for the betterment of underserved communities, particularly communities of color. As Governor, he showed a remarkable ability to actually achieve progress with lasting effects. The Sumter Columbia empowerment zone, initiated under his leadership, remains effective and viable.”

Clyburn, who has gained recognition as a “Kingmaker” for his influential role in the 2020 South Carolina primary that propelled Biden to the presidency, noted the importance of Cuomo’s candidacy.

“Andrew doesn’t just go along to get along. He actively seeks solutions and builds coalitions to achieve consensus,” Clyburn continued. “When he commits to building more affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, ensuring safer cities, and creating more opportunities for youth, you can be confident he will follow through because he has done it before.”

He further remarked that the role of the New York Mayor is crucial as the Democratic Party faces challenges from the Trump administration. Clyburn stressed the need for nimble leadership to defend democratic values and urban autonomy.

Clyburn endorsed Cuomo’s qualifications, saying that, aside from addressing New York’s needs, he possesses the “character, experience, and qualifications” necessary to help the nation navigate current challenges. “I strongly urge my fellow Democrats to support him wholeheartedly,” Clyburn added.

Meanwhile, the New York Times editorial board recently expressed support for the democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani in the mayoral primary, arguing that his agenda might better suit the city’s needs. Yet, they noted that recent reports suggest Mamdani could struggle to garner support among Black voters.

While acknowledging Cuomo’s substantial policy record, the editorial board also pointed out that he has significant flaws.

When approached for comments, Clyburn’s office directed inquiries to his prior statements. Cuomo’s campaign has yet to respond to requests for commentary.