Adams Endorses Cuomo for Mayor
On Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams officially backed former Governor Andrew Cuomo as his choice for the next mayor of New York, just weeks after Adams paused his own re-election efforts.
This endorsement came on the heels of a mayoral debate where Cuomo, running as an independent, faced off against Democratic candidate Zoran Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Interestingly, rather than engage with reporters after the debate, Cuomo was seen heading straight to Madison Square Garden to catch a Knicks game with Adams.
“I’m fighting for the families of New York,” Adams expressed. “That’s why I’m here today supporting Mr. Andrew Cuomo. I’m committed to putting in the effort, especially to ensure that our Black and brown communities feel they have a stake in this election.”
Adams’ spokesperson, Todd Shapiro, confirmed the mayor’s support for Cuomo in a statement. The New York Times had first reported on this support.
Mamdani Challenges the Endorsement
Mamdani quickly responded to the endorsement, stating, “Today confirms what we’ve known for years: Andrew Cuomo will run for Eric Adams’ second term.” He criticized both politicians, hinting at their links to corruption and the influence of wealthy donors. “We need to move past the big money and small ideas that these two represent,” he added.
During a campaign event in Manhattan, Mamdani reiterated his concerns about the endorsement. “We recognize this as a tactic. At a time when New Yorkers are looking for answers to authoritarianism from Washington, we don’t want City Hall to act as a continuation of that administration.”
After Mamdani’s win in the Democratic primary, calls for both Adams and Cuomo to withdraw and consolidate support around him have been growing. Adams had declared on September 28 that he was suspending his campaign, leading to heightened rivalry among the major candidates.
In recent days, pressure from influential figures like Red Apple Media’s John Catsimatidis and hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman has also intensified, urging Sliwa to step aside to clear a path for Cuomo.
Previously, Adams himself had labeled Cuomo as a “snake” and a “liar.” “Even after hearing those words, many New Yorkers want to turn the page,” Mamdani noted.
Adams Stands Firm
Amidst the backlash, Adams addressed his critics during Thursday’s event, acknowledging the harsh names thrown his way but remaining resolute. “It’s time to fight for my family. I will fight alongside Andrew Cuomo for New York City,” he affirmed.
According to a Fox News poll conducted from October 10 to 14, Mamdani holds a substantial lead, with 49% of registered voters supporting him, compared to 28% for Cuomo and 13% for Sliwa. Among likely voters, Mamdani achieved 52% support, surpassing the crucial 50% mark.
Yet, Mamdani had warned his supporters just a few weeks back that Cuomo was favored to win the nomination prior to the Democratic primary. By consolidating support from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and mutual backing through ranked-choice voting to oust Cuomo, Mamdani navigated through the political chaos, gaining national attention.
