Former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer now believes that voters today might be more accepting of candidates with scandals in their past, unlike the scrutiny he faced when he resigned in 2008 due to a high-profile prostitution case. Spitzer attempted a political comeback five years later, a move he reflects on now with some bitterness.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Spitzer was asked about whether the electorate is more forgiving of personal failings in candidates. He noted that since Trump, who faced numerous accusations of his own, took office, perceptions have shifted. “This probably sounds strange to me, but unfortunately, yes, it is,” he said, acknowledging a change in public tolerance.
At 66, Spitzer expressed concern that voters are becoming more ruthless when evaluating a candidate’s personal failures. “So, perhaps they’ll be a little more lenient, or maybe they’ll just focus on different issues when casting their votes,” he remarked. He pointed out that many issues that once influenced voter behavior have significantly faded over the years.
Spitzer, who served as state attorney general, made an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2013. However, as public tolerance grows, it hasn’t extended to figures like Anthony Weiner, who lost his 2021 bid for city council after his own scandals.
Current New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who faced his own allegations, was attorney general when Spitzer was in office. Cuomo is now running for re-election, with Spitzer reflecting on their historically strained relationship. “How many hours do you have?” he joked about discussing their past, acknowledging their mutual disdain.
Spitzer, who now runs a real estate firm started by his father, criticized proposals like Mamdani’s rent freeze, arguing they could hurt the housing market. “Affordable housing is crucial, but I really don’t think that kind of proposal will address the core issues,” he said. He proposed that raising taxes on the wealthy might not push them away from the city entirely, but cautioned that a significant exodus could lead to loss of vital tax revenue.
When asked about Donald Trump—whom he crossed paths with in real estate—Spitzer shared a humorous anecdote. “None of them are my favorites,” he said, recalling Trump visiting his father’s office. His father once quipped about Trump not having read a book in decades. “When Trump was just a developer, that wasn’t really relevant. But when he became president, it highlighted a concerning lack of understanding about history and societal issues,” Spitzer concluded.
