Andrew Cuomo has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming race for New York City mayor following a significant defeat in the Democratic Party primary to progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Cuomo, who resigned from the governorship in 2021 amidst allegations of sexual harassment, made the announcement through a video on social media, asserting his commitment to continue his mayoral aspirations.
In his statement, he referenced wisdom from his grandfather, saying, “As my grandfather used to say, when you get knocked down, learn the lesson and pick yourself back up and get in the game. And that is what I am going to do. The fight to save our city isn’t over.”
Mamdani’s victory over Cuomo by a margin of 12 points in the Democratic primary has energized the progressive faction within the party, while prompting centrist Democrats to seek alternatives given Cuomo’s controversial economic stance and criticism of Israel.
The general election is set for November, with Mamdani now lined up against Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who has experienced a decline in popularity due to several scandals, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, known for his anti-crime efforts.
In response to Cuomo’s decision to enter the general election race, Mamdani expressed confidence in his chances, highlighting his previous win: “I welcome everyone to this race, and I am as confident as I have been since three weeks ago on primary night, when we faced Andrew Cuomo and won that race by more than 12 points with the most votes of any Democratic nominee in New York City primary history.”
Mamdani emphasized that the campaign’s success is rooted in prioritizing the needs of working New Yorkers, contrasting his approach with that of Cuomo and Adams, whom he accused of making backroom deals with wealthy individuals.
Initially viewed as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, Cuomo saw his support dwindle as Mamdani’s campaign gained momentum, focusing heavily on economic issues affecting residents.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has advocated for policies aimed at addressing cost-of-living challenges, including proposals for free public buses and city-run grocery stores offering affordable essentials.
Polling indicates that Mamdani’s progressive economic initiatives, such as raising taxes on the wealthy to fund social programs and freezing rent prices for low-income individuals, are popular among voters. However, Cuomo and other moderate Democrats dismiss these policies as impractical.
In his video statement, Cuomo criticized Mamdani, claiming, “My opponent, Mr Mamdani, offers slick slogans, but no real solutions.”
Beyond economic matters, Cuomo and several Democratic leaders have also taken issue with Mamdani’s views on Israel, particularly his characterization of the situation in Gaza as akin to genocide.
As sentiments shift among U.S. voters, including Democrats, against Israel, Cuomo, a staunch supporter of the nation, has aligned himself with legal efforts to protect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This election cycle is shaping up to be contentious, with a diverse range of candidates representing varying ideologies, reflecting the evolving political landscape in New York City.
image source from：aljazeera
