Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his candidacy for the mayoral race in New York City, vowing to “save our city.” His entry into the race stirs a mixed response, particularly from current Mayor Eric Adams, who chose not to engage in a verbal spat but did manage to deliver a sharp retort. Speaking at a City Hall press conference on Monday, Adams quipped, “I do believe we need to be saved — from him.”
This remark marks Adams’ first public response to Cuomo’s campaign announcement, which came via a 17-minute video that harshly criticized New York City’s current leadership, depicting it as chaotic and rife with crime. The upcoming Democratic primary election in June is expected to be shaped by the showdown between these two seasoned political figures, despite their respective controversies.
When questioned about Cuomo’s controversial past, particularly the sexual harassment allegations and the underreporting of COVID-19 fatalities in nursing homes during his tenure, Adams stated that he refrains from disqualifying individuals unless their actions are “really despicable.” While acknowledging that he has interacted with families affected by the nursing home scandal and believes the women who accused Cuomo, Adams emphasized that these are issues Cuomo will have to address throughout his campaign. Cuomo’s camp responded via spokesman Rich Azzopardi, noting, “We’ll let the voters decide.”
Adams himself is not without controversy. Last year, he faced indictment in a sweeping federal bribery case, accused of accepting luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions. He has entered a plea of not guilty. Complicating matters, the U.S. Department of Justice dismissed the case earlier this year to allow Adams to support then-President Donald Trump’s immigration initiatives, though the door remains open for the charges to be resurrected in the future.
Cuomo’s mayoral campaign is casting him as a seasoned centrist capable of addressing New York’s most urgent challenges, yet his political past is marked with concerns. He resigned in 2021 after a state attorney general’s report concluded he had sexually harassed multiple women. Additionally, his management of the COVID-19 pandemic has faced scrutiny, notably his directive that nursing homes readmit residents hospitalized with the virus, a decision heavily criticized for its perceived risks.
The race for New York City’s Democratic mayoral nomination is densely populated. Alongside Cuomo and Adams, candidates include Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and former Comptroller Scott Stringer. Given New York City’s predominantly Democratic electorate, this primary is likely to be the critical battleground for the next mayor.
