Cuomo picks up endorsements, rises in polls as comeback campaign nears finish line
As New York City’s mayoral race approaches its climax, the contest between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has intensified, with Cuomo gaining significant momentum through a series of high-profile endorsements. Recent polling indicates that Cuomo, now running as an independent, is closing the gap on Mamdani, who has maintained a lead but is feeling the pressure as Election Day looms. A Fox News poll shows Mamdani ahead by 16 points, with 47% support compared to Cuomo’s 31% and Republican Curtis Sliwa’s 15%. However, this lead has narrowed in recent weeks, suggesting a tightening race that has sparked renewed interest among voters.
Cuomo’s campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from prominent figures, including former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and former Governor David Paterson, both of whom emphasize Cuomo’s experience and capability to lead New York City during challenging times. Bloomberg, despite previously meeting with Mamdani, reiterated his support for Cuomo, stating that he has the toughness required to navigate the complexities of the city. In contrast, Cuomo has criticized Mamdani, a state assemblyman, for his perceived inexperience, arguing that New Yorkers should be wary of electing someone untested in governance. Meanwhile, Mamdani has been actively engaging with the community, securing endorsements from local unions and meeting with diverse groups to solidify his support base.
As the election approaches, both candidates are ramping up their efforts to connect with voters. Cuomo has hosted endorsement events with leaders from New York’s Muslim and African communities, while Mamdani has been busy holding events across the city, including a midnight press conference and a community gathering in Brooklyn. With the stakes high, Mamdani remains cautious, reminding supporters that complacency could lead to a repeat of Cuomo’s unexpected primary loss. The upcoming election promises to be a pivotal moment for New York City, as voters weigh the experience of a former governor against the fresh vision of a younger candidate amidst a backdrop of rising concerns over city governance and policy direction.
Related articles:
– Link 1
– Link 2
As New York City’s whirlwind mayoral race winds down, former Gov.
Andrew Cuomo
has picked up a slew of last-minute endorsements as the latest polls show the independent candidate making ground on Democratic nominee
Zohran Mamdani
.
The verdict is still out on whether the late momentum will be enough to hand Cuomo a victory on Tuesday night, and Mamdani has maintained this week that he isn’t taking anything for granted.
“These next few days are really the most important days where New Yorkers really start to focus, and what you’re seeing is
a tremendous turnout
,” Cuomo told Fox News’ Bill Hemmer on Friday, arguing that “New Yorkers are afraid — that’s why you see this big turnout.”
Just as Cuomo was widely expected to win the Democratic nomination in June, Mamdani heads into Election Day with wind in his sails. While Mamdani’s lead has narrowed since early-October, the
latest Fox News Poll
shows Mamdani ahead by double-digits.
NY DEMOCRAT SNUBS PARTY LINE, BACKS CUOMO OVER SOCIALIST RIVAL IN HEATED RACE FOR NYC MAYOR
But Cuomo said Friday that New York voters should be scared.
“Mamdani could win,” Cuomo said. “He is wholly inexperienced.”
CUOMO NARROWS MAMDANI’S ADVANTAGE IN LATEST POLL AHEAD OF NYC MAYORAL ELECTION
Thursday’s poll finds Mamdani with a 16-point lead: 47% back him, while 15% favor Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and 31% go for independent candidate Cuomo.
Independent candidate and current mayor Eric Adams, who endorsed Cuomo last week, received 2% support despite dropping out of the race Sept. 28. Adams will still appear on the ballot.
The latest
Quinnipiac University poll
released Wednesday shows Mamdani’s 10-point advantage over Cuomo is down from his 13-point lead in Quinnipiac’s previous poll, which was conducted at the beginning of October. And this latest poll matches the
Suffolk University poll
released Monday that found Mamdani losing ground with a now 10-point lead.
Independent candidate and current mayor Eric Adams received 2% support despite dropping out of the race Sept. 28. Adams will still appear on the ballot.
“Make no mistake: The race is tightening, and Andrew Cuomo is closing in fast,” Cuomo campaign spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement following the latest Quinnipiac poll.
Cuomo has been working to close the gap on Mamdani for months, and a slew of high-profile endorsements seem to have catapulted his campaign through its final days.
Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg doubled down on his Cuomo endorsement Wednesday, despite
reporting that he met with Mamdani
last month.
“Andrew Cuomo has the experience and toughness to stand up for New Yorkers and get things done. I hope you will join me in supporting him,” Bloomberg
said on X
while sporting a “Manhattan votes early” sticker.
Cuomo has knocked Mamdani, a New York state assemblyman, for lacking the experience necessary to run the nation’s largest city. Cuomo resigned from his governorship in 2021 amid multiple scandals, including several sexual harassment accusations, which he has denied.
Former New York Gov. David Paterson also endorsed Cuomo Tuesday.
“I’m proudly endorsing Andrew Cuomo today because I believe he is the best equipped to lead our beautiful city during these trying times,” Paterson said.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., who represents a sliver of Queens on Long Island, affirmed his own support for Cuomo Wednesday, calling himself a “Democratic Capitalist, not a Democratic Socialist.” Suozzi has been critical of Mamdani’s campaign since he secured the nomination in June.
“I endorse Andrew Cuomo. I can not back a declared socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America,” Suozzi
said in a post
.
While moderate Democrats have coalesced behind Cuomo, some Republicans have even affirmed their support for Cuomo, rejecting Mamdani’s democratic socialist policies, which includes rent freezes, fast and free buses, free childcare and city-run grocery stores, all of which he plans to pay for by raising taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who represents New York’s lower Hudson Valley just north of the city, said Cuomo is the “lesser of two evils” on WABC’s “Sid & Friends” Wednesday.
And Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., a House lawmaker who previously chaired the New York State Republican Party,
told Fox News Digital
it was a “no-brainer” backing Cuomo, despite their disagreements over Mamdani.
On Fox News Friday morning, Cuomo reiterated to New York Republicans that a “vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani,” a mantra echoed by the billionaires, including John Catsimatidis and Bill Ackman, who urged New Yorkers to vote Cuomo last week.
On Thursday this week, Cuomo hosted an endorsement event with prominent leaders from New York City’s Muslim and African communities.
Imam Souleimane Konate, the spiritual leader of the Masjid Aqsa Mosque in Harlem, Sheikh Ibrahim Niass, head of the Ansarudeen Islamic Center in the Bronx, Imam Qazi Qayyoom, founder of the Muhammadi Community and Interfaith Center in Jackson Heights, Theresa Obioma and Halimatou Konte, members of the African Leaders Coalition and El Hadji Ndao, Senegalese Businessman and Community Leader, were among those endorsements.
“I’m deeply grateful to these leaders and to the Muslim and African communities
for their support
and for the vital role they play in our city’s life,” Cuomo said at an event with Adams.
But Mamdani has been making his own inroads this week, meeting with taxi drivers and hosting a midnight press conference, attending a “Paint and Sip” event with seniors in Brooklyn and securing the endorsement from the United Bodegas of America — a union that was once critical of his city-run grocery store plans but has since joined his coalition.
“You can never take anything for granted,” Mamdani told Fox News this week. “If you want to take something for granted, that’s Andrew Cuomo, what he did in the primary. We don’t want to end up like Andrew Cuomo.”
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
