Cuomo Intensifies Plans for Mayoral Race Following Indictment of Adams
The former governor, who stepped down three years ago, is regarded as a strong contender for the mayoral position.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — The recent indictment of Mayor Eric Adams is prompting former Governor Andrew Cuomo to consider entering the competitive race for New York City mayor.
For over a year, Cuomo had indicated to insiders that he was hesitant to challenge Adams due to their overlapping support base of mostly moderate, Black Democratic voters. However, with Adams facing escalating legal issues, including a five-count criminal indictment alleging improper ties to the Turkish government, Cuomo's perspective seems to have changed.
“I think he’s going to run,” remarked Chris Coffey, a former adviser to ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Andrew Yang’s 2021 campaign. “He was probably going to run no matter what, and a weakened, or out-of-the-race Eric Adams is a better bet for him.”
Cuomo has spent the last year reaching out to New York's business and labor leaders regarding a potential mayoral bid.
“He has previously said he has no plans to make plans, and that hasn’t changed,” stated Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi.
His political team is working to create a sense of inevitability around Cuomo's candidacy, suggesting he could be a strong contender in a 90-day, nonpartisan special election should Adams step down—which would still present considerable challenges, particularly given Cuomo's own controversies.
Cuomo would benefit from his well-known name recognition and could find an advantage in a special election open to independent voters if Adams doesn’t complete his term, although Adams is determined to fight the charges against him and stay in office.
Nevertheless, Cuomo is known to be cautious and would likely only consider a run if he perceives it as a guaranteed victory. Any campaign would need to confront the issues surrounding his departure from office six years ago.
Cuomo resigned under the shadow of sexual harassment allegations, which he continues to deny. Additionally, a Republican-led House panel has criticized his management of the Covid pandemic and nursing home deaths, with accusations surrounding inappropriate contact with a witness aimed at influencing testimony. Azzopardi dismissed that claim as “a true shark-jumping moment from the MAGA clown car.”
Meanwhile, progressive advocates are skeptical of Cuomo's chances.
“In this moment, New Yorkers are craving a leader with the utmost integrity and Andrew Cuomo is not that,” said Jasmine Gripper, Co-Director of the New York Working Families Party.
There are also uncertainties about whether Cuomo could secure enough backing from Black leaders and voters—key elements of his base—if Adams remains a contender.
Adams recently showcased his support base during a news conference at Gracie Mansion, standing alongside prominent civil rights leaders and clergy who expressed their commitment to him.
“I’m asking all New Yorkers to hear his side and let him have his day in court,” Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, stated.
Last weekend, Cuomo spoke at a Brooklyn church serving a predominantly Black audience, criticizing the far left and labeling the city's migrant crisis as “out of control.”
Ruben Diaz Sr., a conservative Democrat and Pentecostal minister from the Bronx, has also been courted by Cuomo. After a summer conversation with Cuomo, Diaz, who supports Donald Trump, got the impression that Cuomo was preparing to run.
“He told me the only way that he could run for mayor would be if Adams would not run or if something happens to him,” Diaz shared. “What happened yesterday I believe that he will be running.”
A successful election would provide Cuomo an opportunity for personal redemption following his dramatic departure from the political stage three years ago. He was once a prominent figure during the pandemic but faced a series of scandals that led to his resignation.
Additionally, Cuomo has been in discussions with former City Council Member Andy King, who was expelled in 2020 due to allegations of sexual harassment and ethical misconduct. King, who maintains ties with the influential union 1199 SEIU, believes Cuomo would be a powerful contender in the mayoral race.
“I would be able to identify anybody whose record was ignored, their lifelong testimony gets discarded,” King expressed. “You can’t take away someone who has done the work for the last 10 years.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
For over a year, Cuomo had indicated to insiders that he was hesitant to challenge Adams due to their overlapping support base of mostly moderate, Black Democratic voters. However, with Adams facing escalating legal issues, including a five-count criminal indictment alleging improper ties to the Turkish government, Cuomo's perspective seems to have changed.
“I think he’s going to run,” remarked Chris Coffey, a former adviser to ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Andrew Yang’s 2021 campaign. “He was probably going to run no matter what, and a weakened, or out-of-the-race Eric Adams is a better bet for him.”
Cuomo has spent the last year reaching out to New York's business and labor leaders regarding a potential mayoral bid.
“He has previously said he has no plans to make plans, and that hasn’t changed,” stated Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi.
His political team is working to create a sense of inevitability around Cuomo's candidacy, suggesting he could be a strong contender in a 90-day, nonpartisan special election should Adams step down—which would still present considerable challenges, particularly given Cuomo's own controversies.
Cuomo would benefit from his well-known name recognition and could find an advantage in a special election open to independent voters if Adams doesn’t complete his term, although Adams is determined to fight the charges against him and stay in office.
Nevertheless, Cuomo is known to be cautious and would likely only consider a run if he perceives it as a guaranteed victory. Any campaign would need to confront the issues surrounding his departure from office six years ago.
Cuomo resigned under the shadow of sexual harassment allegations, which he continues to deny. Additionally, a Republican-led House panel has criticized his management of the Covid pandemic and nursing home deaths, with accusations surrounding inappropriate contact with a witness aimed at influencing testimony. Azzopardi dismissed that claim as “a true shark-jumping moment from the MAGA clown car.”
Meanwhile, progressive advocates are skeptical of Cuomo's chances.
“In this moment, New Yorkers are craving a leader with the utmost integrity and Andrew Cuomo is not that,” said Jasmine Gripper, Co-Director of the New York Working Families Party.
There are also uncertainties about whether Cuomo could secure enough backing from Black leaders and voters—key elements of his base—if Adams remains a contender.
Adams recently showcased his support base during a news conference at Gracie Mansion, standing alongside prominent civil rights leaders and clergy who expressed their commitment to him.
“I’m asking all New Yorkers to hear his side and let him have his day in court,” Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, stated.
Last weekend, Cuomo spoke at a Brooklyn church serving a predominantly Black audience, criticizing the far left and labeling the city's migrant crisis as “out of control.”
Ruben Diaz Sr., a conservative Democrat and Pentecostal minister from the Bronx, has also been courted by Cuomo. After a summer conversation with Cuomo, Diaz, who supports Donald Trump, got the impression that Cuomo was preparing to run.
“He told me the only way that he could run for mayor would be if Adams would not run or if something happens to him,” Diaz shared. “What happened yesterday I believe that he will be running.”
A successful election would provide Cuomo an opportunity for personal redemption following his dramatic departure from the political stage three years ago. He was once a prominent figure during the pandemic but faced a series of scandals that led to his resignation.
Additionally, Cuomo has been in discussions with former City Council Member Andy King, who was expelled in 2020 due to allegations of sexual harassment and ethical misconduct. King, who maintains ties with the influential union 1199 SEIU, believes Cuomo would be a powerful contender in the mayoral race.
“I would be able to identify anybody whose record was ignored, their lifelong testimony gets discarded,” King expressed. “You can’t take away someone who has done the work for the last 10 years.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
