Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially entered the New York City mayoral race. Cuomo, who was widely recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic, resigned in 2021 following multiple sexual harassment allegations. According to Gothamist, he joins a competitive Democratic primary field that includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and other progressive candidates.
In a video message, Cuomo described New York City as being in a state of crisis. "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 up in your chest as you're walking down into the subway," he stated. These remarks highlight Cuomo's attempt to quickly ramp up a serious campaign despite the recent controversies surrounding his tenure as governor, as per Gothamist.
This mayoral bid also signals Cuomo's return to his native New York City - a departure from his more than two decades spent in the upstate capital of Albany. As governor, Cuomo bolstered his profile with achievements such as the passage of New York’s same-sex marriage law and the introduction of infrastructure projects like the rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge. However, his administration was mired by the nursing home COVID death count scandal and other ethics complaints. The Gothamist reports that Cuomo is still combating civil lawsuits from two accusers tied to the harassment allegations.
Despite his departure from state politics, Cuomo's campaign leverages his widespread name recognition and the political network he previously built. As of mid-January, his gubernatorial campaign account held over $7.7 million, though stricter campaign finance regulations apply to the mayoral race. He has stated that he has learned from past mistakes and aims to demonstrate personal and political growth, as reported by the New York Post.
