If Andrew Cuomo jumps into the race in next year's Democratic primary for New York mayor, he would be the favorite to win, an adviser to the former governor argues.
“I'd be lying if I said I haven't seen the data that answers that question,” Melissa DeRosa said on Mark Halperin's show. 2way tonight on Wednesday's podcast when Cuomo was asked about how he would fare in the Democratic primary.
Ranked-choice voting, which has been implemented in city council elections since 2021, applies when the top vote-getter receives less than 50% of the vote.
Under this system, voters choose candidates in order of preference.
The lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, voters who chose that candidate have their votes counted for their second choice, and this process continues until only two candidates remain. Each candidate receives the votes of everyone who ranks that candidate.
“[Cuomo] Mr. DeRosa, who was Mr. Cuomo's top aide when he was in the governor's mansion, said Mr. Cuomo started out as the clear front-runner, but not just because of his name status.
Cuomo may be chosen as a second choice by supporters of former city treasurer Scott Stringer, Brooklyn state senator Zellner Miley, and Jessica Ramos, all of whom have been announced as candidates for mayor. is considered to be high.
In a crowded primary, ranked-choice voting means there's a good chance the vote will ultimately go to Mr. Cuomo.
“The black votes that Zellner Miley gets go immediately to Cuomo. The Hispanic votes that Jessica Ramos gets go immediately to Cuomo,” DeRosa said.
Still, Mayor Eric Adams is a wild card, and whether he's still in the race could influence whether Cuomo runs or not, she said.
Other announced Democratic candidates include current City Comptroller Brad Lander, Queens Assemblyman Zoran Mamdani and Jim Walden.
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa is expected to be the Republican candidate again.
Mr. Adams is facing a federal criminal trial on charges of bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy to receive campaign funds from foreign nationals, but he has maintained his innocence and reiterated Thursday that he is seeking re-election.
“Nobody knows what's going to happen with Eric Adams. It's too early,” DeRosa said.
Mr. DeRosa responded to a question about the possibility of supporting Mr. Cuomo from Jewish voters in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Previous podcasts focused on national issues involving President-elect Donald Trump and President Biden.
“If the stars align, God willing. [Cuomo] We’ll go in and reorient the city,” she said.
DeRosa suggested Mayor Adams was weak and said the incumbent mayor was not strong enough to fight for the city with Gov. Cathy Hochul and the Legislature, “to the detriment” of Big Apple residents. said.
“Eric Adams always gives his all when it comes to Albany,” she said.
She said that wouldn't happen to Mr. Cuomo, who doesn't have a “buddy, buddy” relationship with Mr. Hochul, a former lieutenant governor.
Post columnist John Podhoretz also appeared on the podcast.
Although he has long criticized Mr. Cuomo, the political scion was favored over other Democratic candidates in the field — including for his efforts in ultimately pushing the MTA to build the Second Avenue subway, , Mr. Cuomo was credited with improvements to LaGuardia Airport and the Tappan Zee Bridge under his control. clock.
He also noted that Cuomo stood up to protect charter schools when then-Mayor de Blasio tried to block the expansion of popular alternative schools. .
Rodnese Bichot-Harmelin, an Adams supporter and congresswoman and Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman, suggested Cuomo should back out.
“Mayor Adams has worked with members of Congress to get things done for New Yorkers while reducing crime, boosting the local economy to record levels, and delivering historic amounts of new housing. Anyone who speculates has a personal agenda,” Bichot-Harmelin said.
Mr. Cuomo has his own challenges to deal with.
He resigned as governor in August 2021 while denying accusations of sexual misconduct.
He also came under fire from his Democratic colleagues in Congress this week over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spokesman Andrew Cuomo said the former governor has not yet decided whether to run for City Hall.
