Endorsers of Andrew Cuomo's primary election campaign have been conspicuously silent
In the 2025 New York City mayoral race, most of Andrew Cuomo's previous Democratic primary endorsers have yet to publicly reaffirm their support for him in the general election. This shift comes after Cuomo launched an independent campaign following his primary loss to Zohran Mamdani.
Cuomo's independent bid has alienated many of his former supporters who remain loyal to the Democratic nominee, Mamdani. Notable endorsers who have shifted their allegiance to Mamdani include Rep. Adriano Espaillat, several Assembly members, and influential unions such as 1199 SEIU and 32BJ SEIU.
The political landscape within the NYC Democratic Party has undergone a significant realignment. The contest reflects an internal party divide, with Cuomo criticising Mamdani's progressive platform as "socialist" and potentially harmful to the city's economic growth, while Mamdani has capitalised on grassroots progressive support and youth engagement.
Some of Cuomo's former backers have remained silent on their endorsement decisions, possibly due to the personal and strategic nature of endorsements or awaiting developments. Few, if any, have committed publicly to support Cuomo over Mamdani in the general election.
Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stated that the governor has been active in meeting voters in various parts of the city. However, Assembly Members Jordan Wright and Erik Dilan, as well as Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, have confirmed that Cuomo has not reached out to ask for their support.
Assembly Member Gibbs has stated he is "not rushing" to endorse anyone and will let his constituents decide through a candidate forum in mid-September. Keith Wright, a party leader who endorsed Mamdani following the primary, understands the trepidation in endorsing a candidate.
The mayoral election has been marked by the controversy surrounding endorsements. Both Wright and Dilan have not made their endorsement decisions yet. Assembly Member David Weprin has not declared his support for any candidate as of July 7, and Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs has not declared his support as of the current date.
Bichotte Hermelyn, a prominent Brooklyn Democratic Party figure who has endorsed Mamdani, is confident that most elected officials in Brooklyn will endorse Mamdani by November. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council has also endorsed Mamdani, further solidifying his support within the Democratic Party.
As the general election approaches, the race remains tight, with Mamdani leading in the polls. It remains to be seen whether any of Cuomo's former endorsers will reaffirm their support for him in the final stretch of the campaign.
Migration patterns within the NYC Democratic Party may shift due to war-and-conflicts over Cuomo's policy-and-legislation stances, as many of his previous endorsers have moved towards Mamdani, the Democratic nominee. The general news narrative surrounding the race features Cuomo's independent bid as a divisive issue, causing uncertainties in the political landscape as the general election approaches.
