Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo intensified his campaign efforts on Staten Island last Sunday, addressing a congregation at the First Central Baptist Church in Stapleton.
During his visit, Cuomo emphasized his commitment to what he terms the ‘forgotten borough’ while participating in a fiercely competitive mayoral race.
A recent Suffolk University poll indicates that Cuomo is trailing behind Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, with only 25% of the likely voter support compared to Mamdani’s 45%.
In light of this, Cuomo has made several appearances on Staten Island over the past few weeks, aiming to bolster his presence in an area where he performed better than Mamdani during the Democratic primary.
Cuomo may also be seeking to attract support from voters who previously backed Mayor Eric Adams, who announced the suspension of his re-election campaign on September 28.
At the church service, Cuomo asserted that Staten Island deserves more attention, stating, ‘I’ve never forgotten Staten Island — and I never will. It’s a vital part of New York City, but it’s often been neglected.’
He remarked on the challenges facing the city, including population decline, loss of businesses, and rising gun violence among youth.
Cuomo conveyed confidence in government’s ability to address these issues, saying, ‘The trick in government is that we can make the transference from a good idea to actually implementing…’
He criticized the common practice of empty promises in politics, asserting, ‘If I say I’m going to get it done; I’m going to get it done. I know how to make change in government — I know how to make government work.’
The Cuomo campaign has worked hard to forge connections with Staten Island residents. As early as July, they released a video of him arriving by Staten Island Ferry and engaging with locals at various businesses, such as A&C Superette & Salumeria and The Joan & Allen Bernikow JCC.
The video concluded with Cuomo promising residents, ‘I won’t let you down.’
Cuomo’s efforts also included endorsements on the island, such as his recent visits on September 18, when he received support from the Local 3 Staten Island Electrical Club of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and again on September 27 at the Eltingville Transit Center for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 endorsement.
In contrast, Mamdani’s campaign has seen challenges on Staten Island. His August 13 visit, part of a broader ‘Five Boroughs Against Trump’ tour, was disrupted by President Donald Trump-supporting protestors who interrupted his message of support for the borough’s immigrant community at Istanbul Bay Authentic Mediterranean Restaurant.
On the Republican side, candidate Curtis Sliwa has established a strong rapport with Staten Island residents, frequently attending community events and rallies. The Suffolk University poll indicates that 9% of likely voters citywide are inclined to support Sliwa.
With the mayoral race heating up, the dynamics of support are rapidly shifting, leaving candidates like Cuomo and Mamdani scrambling for the votes of Staten Islanders and determining how best to address their concerns.
image source from：silive
