Eric Adams dismisses Cuomo for mayor talk

NEW YORK — Eric Adams threw cold water on the prospect of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo running for mayor of New York City.

Adams in a radio interview Monday dismissed talk of Cuomo seeking his job, though acknowledged the three-term former governor is considering some sort of comeback to politics following his 2021 resignation.

“We talk often,” Adams told La Mega 97.9. “I don’t see him running for mayor. I think he is looking at his next political move and there is a lot of things he can look at, but I have to be ready to run New York and that is what I’m focused on doing right now.”

POLITICO reported last week Cuomo is weighing a bid for mayor as Adams’ campaign is under scrutiny by federal investigators stemming from whether it colluded with the Turkish government in exchange for official favors.

Cuomo has indicated to allies this month he could be interested in a mayoral bid, and voters in New York City received a poll testing a variety of comeback messages for the former governor. Cuomo, 65, has not ruled out a return to politics, telling POLITICO in October he is keeping his options open.

But multiple people familiar with Cuomo’s thinking do not expect him to directly challenge Adams in a Democratic primary, a contest that would divide working class Black voters, unions and the business community — a coalition both men have drawn support from in their campaigns.

Adams’ woes have deepened further last week after he was accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a woman in 1993 when he was a member of the NYPD. Adams has denied ever meeting the woman.

Cuomo, who resigned amid a barrage of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct allegations, is also facing a new lawsuit filed against him by former aide Brittany Commisso.

Commisso alleges Cuomo groped her while at the governor’s mansion in Albany in 2020 — a claim that Albany County District Attorney David Soares declined pursue in a criminal case. Commisso was among the women whose allegations were included a bombshell report released by New York Attorney General Tish James that preceded Cuomo’s resignation weeks later.

Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.

“Ms. Commisso’s claims are provably false, which is why the Albany District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation,” Cuomo attorney Rita Glavin said. “Ms. Commisso’s transparent attempt at a cash grab will fail. We look forward to seeing her in court.”

Commisso’s civil case joins two other lawsuits previously filed against Cuomo by former aide Charlotte Bennett and a former member of his State Police security detail who have also alleged the former governor sexually harassed them.

Joe Anuta contributed to this report.