One could say that Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign strikes a rather pathetic note, particularly given his promises to enhance the city with initiatives he failed to implement during his time as Governor of New York.
Take his sudden call for free public transport for low-income New Yorkers, for instance.
Interestingly, he had previously diverted $5 million from the transit agency, money that could have saved more than $100 million wasted on unnecessary embellishments at ski resorts and on city infrastructure.
And how did he manage to push through those toll hikes? It’s puzzling.
On top of that, his promotion of an extravagant overhaul of Penn Station disrupted airport modernization efforts.
Meanwhile, Cuomo has very little to propose that would make the city more affordable or easier to navigate—nothing substantial, not even as small gestures during his tenure that might have countered Mayor de Blasio’s less favorable ideas.
Remember, Cuomo endorsed and defended the criminal justice “reforms” that many believe contributed significantly to urban crime since 2020.
He even praised the movement to “bring back the police” as if it were a genuine need.
And let’s not forget that one of his appointees to the state parole board had a notably questionable past.
Even though there were aspects of his governance that had merit, his position has shifted rather dramatically now, especially in response to the charter schools and opposition from teachers.
It’s frankly ridiculous that he presents himself as the prime candidate to rescue the city from Zoran Mamdani, who occupies the far left. Cuomo frequently positions himself as the only bulwark against what he labels crazy progressive policies, particularly when faced with pressure.
Indeed, his entry into the Democratic primary has inadvertently bolstered Mamdani, leveraging his name recognition despite other contenders striving for visibility. Democratic socialists, looking for an ascent, now have him as an effective counterpoint.
If Cuomo were to lose the race, he would still position himself as the best hope for moderates, potentially splintering the anti-Mamdani vote purely out of stubborn pride.
All in all, the most amusing aspect of Andrew Cuomo’s claim to fight for New York is his long history of battling solely for self-interest.
