Andrew Cuomo mentioned he’s planning to “assess that landscape” to determine if he might pursue an independent bid for the mayoralty of New York City following a surprising loss in the Democratic primary.
While the official winner of Tuesday’s primary hasn’t been declared, Cuomo acknowledged his defeat that evening, as state legislator Zoran Mamdani claimed victory. However, Cuomo is still leaving the possibility open for an independent run in the general election, noting that he had already registered to vote.
In an interview with CBS News, Cuomo expressed that he didn’t want to waste anyone’s time acknowledging the primary’s outcome, which he felt was “clear,” even though it wasn’t officially confirmed yet. He pointed out that the Democratic primary reflects only a fraction of the city’s voters, suggesting it may not accurately represent all New Yorkers.
He emphasized that turnout would be larger in the general election, offering a “larger pool” of voters.
“I have an independent line, and it’s over. Now I’m evaluating the landscape, gathering information, and consulting with people involved in my campaign about what the general election will look like,” Cuomo stated. “I can say that many people have expressed considerable concern.”
Cuomo indicated his interest in continuing his mayoral campaign soon after conceding on Tuesday, mentioning he would reach out to peers to find “the best path to helping the city of New York.”
Mamdani’s victory over Cuomo was a notable upset, as he exceeded expectations in the primary, challenging the future direction of the party. Cuomo had been a frontrunner for months, positioning himself for a political comeback after resigning as governor in 2021.
As the latest count stands, Mamdani leads in the Democratic primary with 43.5%, compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%. Mail-in ballots can still be counted for up to a week following the primary, meaning a formal winner won’t be announced until July 1st, yet Mamdani is widely regarded as the likely victor.
In May, Cuomo established a party called the Battle and Delivery Party, allowing him another route to compete in the general elections outside of the Democratic framework.
Mamdani is also set to compete against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, independent Jim Walden, and the current mayor, Eric Adams.
