Who is Andrew Cuomo? Former New York governor enters crowded NYC mayor’s race

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has officially launched his bid for mayor of New York City, shaking up an already competitive Democratic primary and posing a serious challenge to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, enters the race as the immediate frontrunner, leveraging his name recognition and Adams’ declining popularity. His announcement follows months of speculation, during which he quietly consolidated support among key political figures and donors.

“The city just feels threatening, out of control,” Cuomo said in a nearly 18-minute campaign video. “These conditions exist not as an act of God, but rather as an act of our political leaders.”

While Cuomo’s comeback has been met with skepticism due to his past scandals—including the nursing home controversy during Covid-19 and the sexual misconduct claims—his moderate stance sets him apart from the progressive candidates in the race.

Rival candidates, including City Comptroller Brad Lander and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, quickly criticized Cuomo, highlighting his past controversies. “He resigned for sexually harassing 13 women and leading thousands of elderly New Yorkers to their deaths during Covid-19,” Lander posted on social media.

Polls suggest Cuomo holds a strong lead, with one survey showing him securing 51% of ranked-choice votes. However, when respondents were reminded of his scandals, his support dropped to 19%.

With Adams’ approval ratings plummeting and the June 24 primary approaching, Cuomo’s entry signals a high-stakes battle for City Hall. The winner will likely face Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November general election.