Andrew Cuomo Eyes NYC Mayoral Seat with Dual Democratic and Independent Campaign Strategy

In a strategic move, Andrew Cuomo has announced his plan to run for New York City mayor as both a Democrat and on an independent ballot line. According to CBS News, he has formed the "Fight and Deliver Party" to provide an alternate path to the November ballot if he doesn't win the Democratic primary. This approach mirrors his 2014 creation of the Women’s Equality Party.

The mayoral race, previously shaped by current mayor Eric Adams, is undergoing a change as Adams breaks away from party lines and announces his candidacy as an independent. The Gothamist highlights Adams' own independent campaign under the banners of “EndAntiSemitism” and “Safe&Affordable.”

Despite a series of scandals and a declining approval rating, Adams suggests that Cuomo is simply following his strategy for the race, remarking, "He's obviously, all he's doing is looking at Eric Adams' playbook," as per reports by CBS News.

The electoral race intensifies as candidates Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani voice their concerns about Cuomo on social media. Lander has referred to Cuomo as a "DINO" – Democrat In Name Only – while Mamdani, who is trailing Cuomo, indicates that Cuomo's third-party bid may be a strategic move, as reported by CBS News.

This year's election departs from the ranked-choice voting system used in previous primaries, enabling candidates like Cuomo to collect votes across multiple ballot lines. This approach could strengthen Cuomo's campaign, as he currently leads in the polls. Cuomo himself regards this move as a way to forge the "largest possible coalition" and secure "the biggest possible mandate," he outlined in a statement obtained by CBS News. As the race progresses, with five candidates including Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden, election observers are anticipating a highly competitive lead-up to election day.