The New York City mayoral race changed course following Mayor Eric Adams' withdrawal from the reelection campaign, as Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo increased criticism of one another. The developments reflect a shift in the race's dynamics, with moderate and independent voters evaluating options in a more open field.
During a news conference today, Mamdani lashed out at Cuomo for his past decision to cut a state housing assistance program back in 2011, which Mamdani claims led to an increase in homelessness. "It’s not just about who’s on the ballot, it’s about what’s on the ballot, and what we see still on that ballot, showcased by Andrew Cuomo, is a record of broken promises, a record of disgrace," Mamdani told amNewYork. He characterized the $65 million cut to the Advantage program as a move designed to prevent taxing Cuomo's wealthy donors.
Responding to these accusations, Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed the relevance of the decade-old cuts, suggesting that subsequent rental assistance programs have not only replaced but also increased funding since then. "This is a moot issue that happened 14 years ago — when Mamdani was in college – amid a $10 billion shortfall," Azzopardi stated to amNewYork. However, the Cuomo camp didn't just defend; it went on the offensive, challenging Mamdani to publicly apologize to NYPD officers for his 2020 remarks calling the department "racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety."
While attention has centered on the escalating contest between Cuomo and Mamdani, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has made allegations that Cuomo attempted to bribe him to exit the race. Both candidates have publicly responded, with Cuomo calling for proof of the accusation during a press conference, stating, "Sliwa says somebody offered him money. Who offered him money? Until you give me a name, I think you’re making it up," as reported by NY1. Despite these allegations, Sliwa's campaign hasn’t revealed who supposedly attempted to bribe him, leading to increased suspicion and controversy.
Amidst these spats, former independent mayoral candidate Jim Walden has endorsed Cuomo, stating, "On the merits, Andrew Cuomo is the best candidate. He’s also the only candidate that can beat Mamdani," according to a Zoom interview with NY1. Walden advised candidates to consolidate their efforts against Mamdani rather than diluting their campaigns with internal disputes, saying, "They’ve been tearing each other apart. They’ve been going after each other. Every time Zohran Mamdani sees a tweet from one another that attacks the other person, he and his team are doing high fives."
