New York City’s mayoral candidates, regardless of party affiliation, seem to share some skepticism regarding former governor Andrew Cuomo’s intention to run as an independent after losing the Democratic primary a few weeks ago. Both Democrat Zoran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa pounced on Cuomo’s announcement, using it as an opportunity to criticize the current independent mayor, Eric Adams.
Mamdani pointed out Cuomo’s significant loss in the primary, stating, “Andrew lost by 12 points. He spent a whopping $25 million to send a message, and New Yorkers seem to be getting it.” This remark came in response to Cuomo’s campaign press release issued over the weekend.
During a press conference, Mamdani expressed his confidence against Cuomo, asserting that the previous primary results indicated a demand for a change in political dynamics. He added, “It’s tough for a former governor to accept a loss like that—it means confronting the political practices he’s relied on for years.”
Meanwhile, Sliwa didn’t hold back either. “Cuomo is hiding in the Hamptons after his primary loss, and Adams seems to have scurried off to Fort Lauderdale,” he remarked, emphasizing that he’s the only candidate with a major party backing. Sliwa highlighted his long-standing commitment to New Yorkers as his campaign strategy, contrasting it against the perceived political maneuvering of his rivals.
In response, Cuomo’s campaign insisted that the outcome of the primary was not entirely reflective of the political climate. Rich Azzopardi, a representative for Cuomo, claimed that the current mayor had avoided the contest due to anticipating a loss. He also emphasized that Cuomo still garnered a considerable number of votes even after the primary, suggesting the former governor still has relevance in the race.
Azzopardi mentioned a recent email from Cuomo to his supporters in which he acknowledged mistakes in the primary. He expressed concerns over Mamdani’s platform, suggesting it could be detrimental to the city’s future.
Cuomo is calling for united support against Mamdani in the upcoming November general election, proposing a coalition to rally behind the strongest candidate to challenge him. Current mayor Adams responded to this call, expressing skepticism about Cuomo’s intentions and suggesting that the proposal serves more to benefit Cuomo than the unity of the opposition anytime soon.
