Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City on Saturday, aiming to make a political comeback. In a 17-minute video posted on his website, Cuomo delivered his message while images of the city played alongside him.
“We know that today our New York City is in trouble,” Cuomo said as footage of homeless individuals, graffiti-covered streets, and subway stations appeared on the screen. “You see it in the empty storefronts, the grime, the migrant influx, and the random violence. The city just feels threatening, out of control, and in crisis.”
Cuomo’s decision to enter the already crowded mayoral race represents his attempt to reestablish himself in politics following his resignation in 2021 due to a sexual harassment scandal. Eleven women accused him of misconduct, allegations that were detailed in a report by the state attorney general. Cuomo denied the accusations at the time.
His candidacy sets up a direct challenge to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who has faced increased scrutiny. Calls for Adams to step down have grown louder, especially after the Trump-led Department of Justice dropped corruption charges against him. Adams has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and his campaign declined to comment on Cuomo’s announcement.
Since leaving office, Cuomo has largely remained out of the public eye. However, CNN previously reported that he and his team had been laying the groundwork for a mayoral run for months, particularly in light of Adams’ recent controversies. Last week, signs of his intentions became clearer when allies launched a super PAC under the name “Fix the City,” according to State Board of Elections records.
Opponents Respond Swiftly
Cuomo’s announcement was met with immediate pushback from his competitors. There are at least eight other candidates in the race, and some lawmakers who oppose his return to office have been working behind the scenes to recruit additional challengers to counter his bid.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized Cuomo’s campaign, calling him an “agent of chaos.”
“The greatest city in the world deserves better than this,” Lander stated.
Scott Stringer, who ran for mayor in 2021 and is again a candidate, also responded with a video, arguing that Cuomo has always prioritized his own interests over the needs of New Yorkers.
“Being mayor of New York may help Andrew Cuomo, but it doesn’t do a damn thing for New Yorkers,” Stringer said.
Meanwhile, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who led the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, has reportedly been working to encourage City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to enter the race. While Adrienne Adams has yet to officially announce her candidacy, she recently opened a campaign committee account, signaling she is seriously considering joining the contest.
Shortly after making his campaign announcement, Cuomo hit the campaign trail, beginning with a visit to the headquarters of the 32BJ SEIU union in Manhattan for a candidate screening. He later stopped for lunch at a Dominican restaurant in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. Videos posted on social media showed Cuomo shaking hands and greeting diners.
Leveraging Political Experience
Cuomo, the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, has spent decades in politics. Before running for office, he served as President Bill Clinton’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He initially ran for New York governor in 2002 but dropped out after a racially charged primary against then-State Comptroller Carl McCall. The experience was a major political setback, which Cuomo has described as one of the lowest points in his life.
He later rebounded by successfully running for New York attorney general in 2006 and then for governor in 2010.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo gained national prominence with his daily televised briefings, which became must-watch events for Americans under lockdown. However, his handling of the pandemic came under scrutiny, particularly a directive that required nursing homes to accept recovering COVID-19 patients. His administration faced accusations of manipulating data to conceal the impact of that policy on nursing home deaths.
Allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo first emerged in December 2020. Charlotte Bennett, a former aide, claimed Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life and mentioned his openness to relationships with younger women. Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, alleged that Cuomo forcibly kissed her during a private meeting in his office.
Cuomo denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged that his comments may have been misinterpreted.
“I never touched anyone inappropriately,” he said. “I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable.”
Boylan responded to Cuomo’s mayoral bid by stating, “New York City deserves better.” In a Vanity Fair article, she warned voters that Cuomo’s leadership could be worse than Adams’.
A Bid for Redemption
Cuomo’s return to politics has been in the works for months. According to a source familiar with his strategy, his campaign is not about apologizing but about presenting himself as the right leader to tackle the city’s problems. With concerns over crime, public safety, and affordability dominating voters’ minds, Cuomo believes his experience makes him the best candidate for the job.
The political landscape has shifted since his departure. Although opponents are certain to highlight his past controversies, Cuomo has recently secured some legal victories that may help him reshape his narrative. Charlotte Bennett dropped her lawsuit against him in December, just before she was scheduled to be deposed. However, she later accused Cuomo of using the legal process to intimidate her and her loved ones.
“Throughout this extraordinarily painful two-year case, I’ve many times believed that I’d be better off dead than endure more of his litigation abuse,” Bennett said. “I desperately need to live my life. That’s the choice I am making today.”
After the case was dropped, Cuomo quickly announced his intention to sue Bennett for defamation.
Cuomo’s campaign is relying on a close-knit team of veteran aides, including Melissa DeRosa, his former secretary, and Richard Azzopardi, his longtime spokesperson. He has also sought advice from campaign strategists like Chris Coffey and Steven Cohen, who previously worked in his attorney general’s office.
With only four months until the primary, Cuomo’s candidacy adds a significant twist to the race. He has nearly $8 million in campaign funds that he may be able to use, giving him a financial edge over his opponents.
A Familiar Strategy
Despite never running for mayor before, Cuomo understands New York City’s political dynamics. Winning requires building a coalition of Black and Latino voters, union members, and moderate White voters. While New York City remains a Democratic stronghold, the city’s political climate has shifted slightly rightward in recent years, as some voters have grown disenchanted with progressive policies.
In his campaign video, Cuomo does not directly criticize Trump but expresses a willingness to collaborate with the federal government.
“I have worked with President Trump in many different situations, and I hope President Trump remembers his hometown and works with us to make it better,” Cuomo says.
Although he promotes his leadership experience, Cuomo faces significant obstacles, including his past scandals and the city’s ranked-choice voting system, which may complicate his path to victory.
Cuomo frames himself as a moderate Democrat capable of addressing New York City’s crisis, emphasizing public safety and economic recovery. His proposals include expanding the NYPD’s presence in subways, improving public housing, and regulating e-bikes.
“We know that today our New York City is in trouble. You feel it when you walk down the street and try not to make eye contact with a mentally ill homeless person or when the anxiety rises in your chest as you walk into the subway,” Cuomo states. “The city just feels threatening, out of control, and in crisis.”
Without mentioning Adams by name, Cuomo criticizes what he calls “failed Democratic leadership” and the absence of “intelligent action” in city government.
His entrance into the race ensures that the 2025 mayoral election will be one of the most competitive in decades.