Former Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has thrown his hat into the ring for the mayoral race in New York City. In a video announcement posted on his website, Cuomo passionately pitched his candidacy for 17 minutes, engaging directly with the camera while showcasing various scenes of New York City. “We are all aware that our beloved New York City is facing challenges,” Cuomo declared as the video depicted images of homelessness in the city streets and subways. “The vacant storefronts, graffiti, grime, influx of migrants, and sense of danger and crisis enveloping the city are unmistakable.”
Cuomo’s decision to join the already competitive race could mark a potential political resurgence for the former governor, who stepped down from his position in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment by 11 women. Cuomo has vehemently denied these accusations, which were detailed in a report issued by the state attorney general at the time.
This development has set the stage for a showdown between Cuomo and the current New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, who has come under increased scrutiny and calls for his resignation since the Department of Justice, under the leadership of President Trump, instructed prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against him. Adams has staunchly refuted all allegations of misconduct.
Since leaving office, Cuomo has largely maintained a low profile. Reports from CNN had previously indicated that Cuomo and his team had been preparing for a potential run for several months, spurred on by the controversies surrounding Mayor Adams. Signs of Cuomo’s preparations for the campaign have become more apparent in recent days. Notably, last week, Cuomo’s supporters established a super PAC named “Fix the City,” as per data from the State Board of Elections.
Rivals of Cuomo in the race wasted no time in responding to his announcement. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized Cuomo’s entry into the race, stating that “the last thing New Yorkers need right now is another source of chaos.” Lander, who is also vying for the mayoral seat, emphasized that “the greatest city in the world deserves better than this.”
Another candidate, Scott Stringer, who ran for mayor in 2021, released a video in response to Cuomo’s announcement, accusing the former governor of prioritizing his own interests over the welfare of the city. Stringer asserted, “Becoming the mayor of New York may benefit Andrew Cuomo, but it does nothing for the residents of New York.”
Following his video announcement, Cuomo wasted no time hitting the campaign trail. He made a stop at the 32BJ SEIU union headquarters in Manhattan, attending a candidate screening, and then proceeded to have lunch at a Dominican restaurant in the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx. Videos circulating on social media captured Cuomo warmly interacting with diners at the restaurant.
This story is still unfolding and will be updated as new developments emerge. Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Sabrina Souza
