By: Jordan Baker

Andrew Cuomo is expected to officially re-enter the New York City mayoral race — this time as an independent — after suffering a bruising defeat to Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary, The New York Post reports.

Sources close to the former governor, 67, told NewsNation that Cuomo will formally launch his independent bid within days. His spokesperson confirmed to The Post that an announcement is imminent.

However, Cuomo’s move comes with a controversial twist. According to NewsNation, he plans to call on all other non-Democratic candidates — including Mayor Eric Adams — to agree to drop out of the race by mid-September if they are not polling in the lead. Cuomo has reportedly pledged to do the same.

The plan immediately drew backlash. At Sunday’s Bolivian Day Parade, Mayor Adams bristled when asked about Cuomo’s return. “We’re moving straight ahead,” he said curtly before ducking into a car. Later that day at the Carneval Vegano, Adams was in better spirits, joking to The Post, “Are you kidding me?” when asked if he’d step aside for Cuomo.

Adams’ campaign later blasted Cuomo’s candidacy in a scathing statement, highlighting his double-digit primary loss and accusing him of “political double-dealing” that has long eroded public trust.

“Cuomo lost,” the statement read. “But instead of helping beat Mamdani, he’s doing what he always does — putting himself first.” The campaign also blamed Cuomo for past failures as governor, including the controversial bail reform law, mishandled COVID nursing home policies, and poorly planned cannabis legalization.

Cuomo, meanwhile, insists he remains the strongest alternative to Mamdani, despite the primary loss. Recent polling by Slingshot Strategies shows Mamdani leading with 35%, followed by Cuomo at 25%. Republican Curtis Sliwa trails at 14%, with Adams in fourth place at 11%.

The backlash to Cuomo’s bid hasn’t just come from rivals. Even some of his former allies are turning against him. Allen Cappelli, a longtime Democratic strategist who worked for Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, called the former governor a “loser.”

“The voters called him a loser,” Cappelli said. “Stop playing games with the voters and get out of the race.”

Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte, who supported Cuomo in the primary, is now backing Mamdani. “Everyone has the right to run,” she said, “but the Democratic Party made its choice. It’s Zohran Mamdani.”

Queens State Senator John Liu called Cuomo’s move “predictable” and “pathetic,” while Assemblyman Ron Kim stated simply: “People are ready to move on from Andrew Cuomo.”

Some New Yorkers agree. Bronx mother and activist Monda Davids posted on X: “Cuomo had his chance. He didn’t campaign. He arrogantly expected NYers to vote for him without engaging them.”

Even independent candidate and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden weighed in, applauding Cuomo’s support of the mid-September dropout pledge. “I hope Eric and Curtis sign on as well,” Walden said, adding that unity is crucial to defeating Mamdani.

Curtis Sliwa, who lost to Adams in 2021 and now carries the GOP banner, slammed both Cuomo and Adams. “Cuomo lost his primary and hides in the Hamptons. Adams skipped his and fled to Fort Lauderdale,” Sliwa quipped.

While Cuomo’s camp argues that his independent run offers voters a viable centrist alternative, critics from across the spectrum warn that his presence in the race only serves to divide the anti-Mamdani vote.