NEW YORK, July 13 (Reuters) – Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo plans to re‑enter the New York City mayoral race this November — not as a Democrat, but on an independent “Fight and Deliver” ticket – positioning himself against both the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani, and other independents, including incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Cuomo, 67, who resigned in August 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations and criticism over nursing home COVID‑19 policies, lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani on June 24 by approximately 12 points.
Despite the primary defeat, he has already secured an independent ballot line and is expected to formally announce his campaign this week
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Polling conducted by Slingshot Strategies shows Mamdani leading with about 35%, Cuomo trailing at 25%, Adams at 11–14%, and Republican Curtis Sliwa around 14%
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Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old democratic socialist and state assemblyman, garnered 56.2% of the vote in the third round of ranked‑choice counting.
Cuomo is reportedly urging all challengers — including himself and Mayor Adams — to agree by mid‑September to withdraw if polling indicates they are not leading; the aim is to help consolidate the anti‑Mamdani vote.
The proposal has drawn support from former Governor David Paterson, who warned that splitting the moderate and independent vote could pave the way for Mamdani’s victory
However, the plan is already generating friction. Mayor Adams, running as an independent himself, criticized Cuomo’s announcement as “political opportunism” and the “highest level of arrogance,” arguing his continued presence fragments voters and undermines efforts to defeat Mamdani.
Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and attorney‑turned‑independent Jim Walden have likewise dismissed the idea of stepping aside, each asserting their own path to victory.
Cuomo’s campaign emphasizes his record as governor, including efforts to increase police presence, build affordable housing, raise the minimum wage, and oppose antisemitism — a nod to Mamdani’s vocal criticism of Israel.
However, the move is not without its risks. Cuomo faces potential federal legal exposure, with the U.S. Justice Department reportedly investigating whether he lied to Congress over COVID‑19 nursing home data.
Moreover, his independent candidacy underscores deep divisions among center‑left and moderate New Yorkers who are scrambling to unite behind a single challenger to Mamdani’s progressive platform — which includes rent freezes, free public transit, and expansion of social services .
The November 4 general election thus looms as a three‑ or four‑way confrontation: Mamdani, Adams, Cuomo, Sliwa, and Walden each vying for a fractious electorate in a city where electoral math and coalition‑building may determine the outcome.
Why this matters:
Vote splitting: Independent runs by both Cuomo and Adams risk fragmenting the moderate vote, potentially enabling Mamdani to prevail with a plurality.
Legal cloud: Cuomo is campaigning while under a federal investigation into his COVID‑19-era conduct, a liability that may resurface.
Voter sentiment: With deep concern across demographics about affordability, safety and public services, the race comes down to who can unite diverse constituencies — from younger progressives to business leaders and suburban voters.
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