Endorsers of Andrew Cuomo's primary campaign have remained largely silent
In the race for New York City's mayoralty, former Governor Andrew Cuomo finds himself without the support of many of his Democratic primary endorsers. This shift in allegiance is largely due to Cuomo's loss in the primary to Zohran Mamdani and his subsequent decision to launch an independent campaign.
The move has left many of his backers feeling alienated, as none of his primary endorsers have publicly endorsed him for the general election. Several prominent endorsers, including elected officials and unions, have instead switched their support to Mamdani or remained silent, reflecting a cautious or withdrawn stance toward Cuomo's continued candidacy.
Cuomo's independent bid has also failed to translate into electoral success, which may have incentivized his previous supporters to distance themselves or wait for a more viable candidate to endorse in the general election. Some endorsers openly endorsed Mamdani instead, while many others have stayed quiet, signaling strategic hesitancy in a polarized and competitive race.
The key reasons for the lack of reaffirmed support include Cuomo’s primary loss, his decision to run independently in the general election, and the resulting strategic and political calculations by his previous endorsers.
Despite the current situation, there is still time for party leaders to make their endorsement decisions. One such leader, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, is confident that most elected officials in Brooklyn will endorse Mamdani by November. Bichotte Hermelyn stated that Cuomo has "absolutely no support" and there is "absolutely nothing" he could do to substantially rebuild it.
Other endorsers, such as former Assembly member and Manhattan Democratic Party leader Keith Wright, understand the hesitation in endorsing a candidate, as it is a personal decision. Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs is not rushing to endorse anyone and will let his constituents decide through a candidate forum in mid-September.
Out of the 19 Assembly members who endorsed Cuomo in the primary, only De Los Santos has publicly declared his stance, backing Mamdani in the general election. Other notable endorsers of Mamdani include Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, and Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, among others.
The mayoral election has seen party leaders being reluctant to endorse candidates, and this trend seems to hold true for Cuomo's former supporters. Neither Jordan Wright nor Erik Dilan have made their endorsement decisions yet, and neither has been contacted by Cuomo.
Cuomo's spokesperson, Azzopardi, stated that the governor has been meeting voters in various parts of the city. However, his presence in Brooklyn has been minimal compared to Mamdani's outreach. Assembly Member David Weprin has not declared his support for any candidate yet.
Several of Cuomo's primary supporters reversed their positions after calling for him to resign over sexual misconduct allegations in 2021. Notable absentees from Cuomo's list of former endorsers include high-profile figures such as former President Bill Clinton, former mayor Michael Bloomberg, and powerful unions like the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the health care workers union 1199 SEIU, and the building service workers union 32BJ SEIU.
As the general election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Cuomo will be able to regain the support of his former endorsers or if he will continue to face a challenging road to victory.
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