We explore the former governor’s campaign, the field of competitors and what it all means for Democrats.
Andrew Cuomo shot to national fame in 2020 for his daily pandemic briefings as governor of New York. His political star fell just a year later, when he resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Now he is attempting a comeback in the New York City mayor’s race.
The race has been turbulent. The incumbent, Eric Adams, was indicted on federal corruption charges that the Trump administration later dismissed. He is running for re-election, but not as a Democrat. That means the party’s nomination is up for grabs, and nearly a dozen candidates are on the ballot.
Recent polls show that Cuomo is roughly 10 percentage points ahead of the No. 2 candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
The Democrats’ final debate is tonight, and the primary is June 24. In today’s newsletter, I’ll answer some questions about Cuomo’s campaign, the field of competitors and what it all means for Democrats.
He has broad name recognition after having served more than a decade as governor. He also has a huge campaign war chest and a $10 million super PAC behind him.
His critics point to his baggage: the sexual harassment allegations, his handling of nursing home deaths during the pandemic, his vindictive management style.
