As New York’s mayoral election approaches, a Democratic representative is voicing some reservations about Democratic candidate Zoran Mamdani. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) announced he is going against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and is backing independent candidate, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo decided to run as an independent after not securing the Democratic nomination earlier this year. Suozzi took to social media, stating, “I’m a democratic capitalist, not a democratic socialist. I support Andrew Cuomo. I cannot support someone who calls himself a socialist and has such a thin resume to manage a city as complex as New York.”
Interestingly, major New York newspapers are leaning towards Cuomo, questioning Mamdani’s character as “brusque and foul-mouthed.”
Suozzi elaborated on his vision, saying we need leaders who address crime, stimulate job creation, and maintain affordable living for middle-class families. He’s been known as a moderate who often collaborates across party lines; thus far, he has diverged from the Democratic consensus about 12% of the time in this Congress.
His endorsement of Cuomo comes as many senior Democrats have hesitated to publicly support Mamdani. While Mamdani does have Jeffries’s endorsement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has remained silent on the matter.
In response to Suozzi’s announcement, Cuomo expressed gratitude, commenting on Suozzi’s commitment to early voting. He praised Suozzi as a dedicated public servant who embodies the common-sense leadership New York needs.
Amidst all this, Jeffries had finally backed Mamdani after a lengthy silence but avoided affirming whether Schumer should do the same, stating, “I released a statement last Friday regarding the mayoral race, and that statement speaks for itself.” He acknowledged the enthusiasm of primary voters who fueled Mamdani’s rise.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old who identifies as a democratic socialist, drew attention when he claimed the Democratic nomination, going against numerous competitors. His proposals, which include raising taxes for social programs and calling for a rent freeze in the city, have stirred controversy. Since clinching the nomination, the broader Democratic stance on him has been vague.
Besides Jeffries, Mamdani’s support seems limited within the party’s leadership circles, although Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie are still contemplating their positions regarding him.
As Election Day on November 4 approaches, polls indicate that Mamdani has a notable lead, reportedly holding 43% support among voters compared to Cuomo’s 33% and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 14%, according to a recent Quinnipiac University survey.
