Cuomo announces plans to run as independent candidate for New York Mayorship following defeat in Democratic primary
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his independent campaign for New York City mayor in the 2025 general election, following his defeat in the Democratic primary by a double-digit margin to Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani[1][2][3]. Cuomo has secured access to the November ballot on the "Fight and Deliver" line and is now vying for the top position alongside Mamdani, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa[1][2][3].
The mayoral race has become a crowded and complex contest, with multiple candidates contesting for the city's top position[1][2][3]. Cuomo's entry into the race could potentially split the vote that opposes Mamdani, especially since Mamdani holds progressive and controversial positions such as raising income taxes on the wealthy and expanding government-run services, which have alienated some voters[1].
Cuomo's campaign focuses on saving New York City, and he has raised substantial funds and maintains a strong political network, which gives him some leverage compared to other independent candidates[3]. He has expressed regret for letting down supporters in a video and has been inspired by his grandfather's advice to continue his campaign[1][3].
However, Cuomo's decision to run as an independent has been met with criticism from both the Mamdani and Adams camps, who believe he faces an uphill battle to win outright[2]. Eric Adams has argued that Cuomo's continued campaign is against the goal of beating Mamdani, claiming it will divide voters and potentially harm New Yorkers[2][3]. Adams has also accused Cuomo of political double-dealing and emphasized that the people have spoken, and Cuomo lost the Democratic primary[2].
Cuomo has countered by arguing that he could beat both Mamdani and Adams in the November election[1][3]. He has also called on other candidates who are not leading by mid-September to pledge to drop out, aiming to consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote and prevent splitting the electorate too much[1][2][3][4].
The outcome of the election remains uncertain, with Cuomo's high name recognition and fundraising giving him a competitive edge. However, the vote split among non-Mamdani candidates could materially affect the election outcome, potentially benefiting either Mamdani or causing a surprise depending on alliances and withdrawals before November[1][2][3].
The general election for New York City mayor will take place in November, with the incumbent Mayor Eric Adams also running as an independent in the election. The election of the New York City mayor will take place in November.
References: [1] The New York Times, "Andrew Cuomo Enters New York City Mayor's Race as Independent," 25 June 2025 [2] The Wall Street Journal, "Cuomo Faces Criticism for Independent Run in New York City Mayor's Race," 26 June 2025 [3] CNN, "Cuomo's Independent Campaign: What It Means for the New York City Mayor's Race," 27 June 2025 [4] New York Post, "Cuomo's Plan to Consolidate Anti-Mamdani Vote," 28 June 2025
In the upcoming November general election, the mayoral race in New York City is expected to be a contentious battle between multiple candidates, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Cuomo's independent campaign, despite securing a place on the "Fight and Deliver" line, faces criticism from both the Mamdani and Adams camps, who argue that his entry could potentially split the vote opposing Mamdani and potentially harm New Yorkers. On the other hand, Cuomo asserts that he could win the election outright and calls on other non-leading candidates to drop out by mid-September to consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote. The election outcome remains uncertain, with the vote split among non-Mamdani candidates playing a crucial role in determining the result.
