The race for New York City mayor has stirred the political pot once more, with the American Jewish Congress throwing its weight behind Andrew Cuomo. The AJC's message emphasized, “Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy, highlighting his longstanding commitment to combating antisemitism. The American Jewish Congress applauds Governor Cuomo’s strong stance against antisemitism and his long standing support for Israel.” Notably, Comptroller Brad Lander and State Rep Zohran Mamdani, branding them as supporters of the "antisemitic, anti-Israel Democratic Socialists of America," as reported by the New York Post.
While the AJC stated that it does advise Jewish voters and does not officially endorse any candidate, their substantial mention of Cuomo suggests a partisan slant. This sentiment was echoed by a city Jewish activist who, according to the New York Post, found the AJC's statement surprisingly partisan, raising questions about the organization's non-partisan claims. Lander's campaign manager, Alison Hirsh, dismissed the AJC's criticism and, instead, aimed for Cuomo's political tactics.
Meanwhile, another contentious point has surfaced regarding Cuomo's campaign, as the Gothamist uncovers that his mayoral campaign treasurer, Kristofer Graham, has a history of working against transgender rights, which, for some, tarnishes the inclusive image that Cuomo seeks to present. Graham, formerly associated with the Coalition to Protect Kids, played a part in opposing an anti-discrimination measure related to transgender kids in sports.
In response to criticisms about the treasurer's past efforts, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi defended Graham's employment, focusing on his role in campaign finance compliance and highlighting Cuomo's track record in favor of LGBTQ+ rights. However, this has done little to assuage concerns among activists like Tyler Hack, who told the Gothamist, "By hiring an anti-trans official for a crucial campaign finance role, Cuomo is signaling that trans rights are negotiable to him." Graham's past association with a coalition that harbored anti-trans and anti-abortion stances has given rise to fears that these issues may not be safe in a Cuomo administration.
Allen Roskoff, head of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, warned, "There's gonna be a political price to pay," signaling a rocky road ahead for a candidate seeking to balance complex social issues with political ambitions in the diverse and often divided landscape of New York City politics, as detailed by the Gothamist.
