Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly set to announce his decision to continue his bid for mayor as an independent candidate this week, according to sources familiar with his campaign.
Those close to Cuomo indicated that in addition to staying in the race, he plans to unveil various proposals. He has assured all candidates, except for Zohran Mamdani, that none of them will withdraw from the race before mid-September.
This expected announcement follows Mamdani’s victory in last month’s Democratic primary election.
Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists, had a significant lead over Cuomo, which Cuomo acknowledged by saying, “Tonight wasn’t our night. Tonight was Mamdani’s night.”
Mamdani won the primary by 12 percentage points, asserting that the outcome reflected a strong mandate for leadership that actively opposes rising authoritarianism.
After the results were announced, Cuomo’s spokesperson mentioned ongoing discussions with the community to determine their next steps, emphasizing that extremism and empty promises won’t solve the city’s issues.
In March, Cuomo had announced his candidacy via a lengthy video, stating that New York City is in crisis and requires effective leadership.
He is poised to join two other independent candidates. Current Mayor Eric Adams, who previously faced federal corruption charges that were later dismissed, is also running for reelection as an independent.
Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor and another independent candidate, commented positively about Cuomo’s decision to adopt a pledge for independence and expressed hope that Adams and Curtis Sliwa would join him in prioritizing New York’s interests over personal ambitions.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa stated during a radio appearance that he plans to remain in the race, claiming, “I will be there until November 4th.” He criticized Cuomo for retreating to the Hamptons and suggested that both Cuomo and Adams are trying to distance themselves from past affiliations.
Sliwa asserted that he is the only candidate holding a major party nomination with decades of service to New Yorkers, positioning himself as the true leader in the race while Cuomo and Adams navigate political shifts.
The general election is set for November 4th, and recent polls suggest that if Cuomo enters the race, Mamdani holds a lead of around 35%, while Cuomo trails at roughly 30%.
