|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Jared Evan
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York and a towering figure in the state’s political landscape, has officially declared his candidacy for mayor of New York City. Cuomo, whose career has been marked by both major political achievements and high-profile controversies, is stepping into an already crowded Democratic primary with less than four months until election day.
Our city is in crisis. That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City. We need government to work. We need effective leadership. https://t.co/a0vVYRF4iP pic.twitter.com/JIrhD1Edqs
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) March 1, 2025
NBC4 has been tracking Cuomo’s political maneuvers for months, as insiders speculated that the former governor was preparing to enter the race. His formal announcement came Saturday in a 17-minute video posted on his campaign website, where he framed his bid as a mission to rescue the city from its current crisis.
“Our city is in crisis,” Cuomo declared in a post on X. “That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City.”
Despite resigning from office in August 2021 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations—allegations he has vehemently denied—Cuomo still enjoys significant name recognition, partly due to his father, Mario Cuomo, who served three terms as governor of New York. NBC4 previously reported that Cuomo and his allies, including Reverend Al Sharpton, had been strategizing behind the scenes for months.
A History of Progressive Politics
Cuomo’s entry into the race revives discussions about his history of progressive policies, including his outspoken stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He infamously labeled ICE agents as “thugs” and was a staunch supporter of New York’s status as a sanctuary city, positioning himself against federal immigration enforcement policies.
Additionally, Cuomo was a champion of bail reform, pushing through measures that eliminated cash bail for most nonviolent offenses. While these reforms were hailed by progressive activists, they also sparked criticism from law enforcement and conservatives, who argued they contributed to rising crime rates.
Facing Tough Competition
Besides the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, Cuomo is up against several Democratic contenders, including Comptroller Brad Lander, state Senator Jessica Ramos, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Senator Zellnor Myrie, and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani. Despite the crowded field, Cuomo has remained a dominant figure in political discussions surrounding the race.
His candidacy received an unexpected boost with a public endorsement from Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres, who told the New York Post, “The city needs a Mr. Tough Guy.”
At a recent candidate forum hosted by District Council 37, Cuomo’s rivals wasted no time attacking him and Adams, both of whom were absent from the event. Queens Assemblymember and socialist DSA affiliated Zohran Mamdani took a direct shot at Cuomo’s record, stating, “Unlike Mayor Adams, who raised your rent, or Governor Cuomo, who put you in Tier 6, I have the guts to ask for your endorsement in person.”
Legal Battles and Controversies
Cuomo’s tenure as governor was marred by scandal. In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that Cuomo had fostered a “sexually hostile work environment” affecting at least 13 women. The DOJ report alleged Cuomo engaged in unwelcome touching, inappropriate comments, and gender-based discrimination. Furthermore, senior members of his administration reportedly retaliated against four of the women who accused him.
Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, pushed back on the findings, calling the DOJ investigation “deeply flawed, inaccurate, biased, and misleading.”
The COVID-19 Nursing Home Fallout
Another major stain on Cuomo’s legacy is his administration’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes. A policy requiring nursing homes to accept recovering COVID-19 patients came under intense scrutiny, particularly after it was revealed that the state had underreported the number of related deaths. A congressional panel hearing in September 2024 reignited the controversy, with lawmakers accusing Cuomo of a cover-up.
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik called Cuomo’s directive “deadly,” while Representative Brad Wenstrup described it as “dangerous and disastrous.” Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi dismissed the inquiry as a “taxpayer-funded farce.”
While Cuomo was once lauded as a steady hand during the early months of the pandemic, his reputation suffered as reports emerged that his administration had withheld critical data about nursing home fatalities.
The Road Ahead
With a mix of progressive credentials, political baggage, and a well-known name, Cuomo’s mayoral run promises to shake up the race. Whether his track record will help or hinder his chances remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his return to the political arena ensures that the 2025 New York City mayoral election will be one of the most closely watched races in recent history.
