Politicians who advocated for Andrew Cuomo's resignation in 2021 now support his campaign in 2025
In a surprising twist of events, some New York Democrats who once demands Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation due to sexual harassment allegations are now backing him for the position of New York City Mayor.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a former critic, joined the chorus of endorsers on Friday, following several members of Congress and local politicians who have aligned with Cuomo for mayor, despite their previous calls for his resignation. This situation mirrors the Republican Party's turnaround on President Donald Trump between the U.S. Capitol riot in 2021 and his 2024 presidential bid, where many initially critical voices fell in line.
Basil Smikle, a New York Democratic strategist, explained that voters in New York are overlooking the sexual harassment allegations and the importance of the #MeToo Movement in favor of immediate needs. Some endorsers justify their stance by pointing to Cuomo's leadership abilities and his potential to deliver on their constituents' needs and priorities.
Ramos defended her endorsement, stating, "This is a very sober take about where we are in this race and the type of leadership that is required at a time when I need workers and I need immigrants protected." The shift in stance makes the endorsements a stark contrast to Ramos' previous criticisms of Cuomo's mental acuity and sharing sentiments similar to those about former President Joe Biden.
Other Democrats, such as Reps. Ritchie Torres, Gregory Meeks, and Adriano Espaillat, who also previously called for Cuomo's resignation, have now endorsed his mayoral bid too, illustrating a common pattern among these politicians [1].
When asked about her change of heart, Ramos clarified that her endorsement was "not about forgiveness or about forgetting anything." Instead, she emphasized the need for strong leadership at a crucial juncture for the city [1].
This backing of Cuomo signals a pragmatic approach to politics, as many Democrats prioritize the immediate needs of their constituents over past controversies. They deem Cuomo's experience, potential leadership, and ability to deliver on key issues as more significant factors in the current political landscape [5].
The politics surrounding the mayoral race play a significant role in the decisions of key New York City Democrats. While Cuomo is a front-runner in the Democratic primary, anti-Cuomo Democrats are attempting to form a unified front against him by encouraging voters to exclude Cuomo from their vote rankings on the June ranked-choice ballot [2].
Progressive New York City Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has even endorsed Cuomo's top opponent while still ranking other candidates to fill out her ballot, adding complexity to the race's dynamics [2].
Additional Insights:
- Many Republicans followed this same pattern in the run-up to Trump's 2024 presidential bid.
- Politicians often base their endorsements on a pragmatic approach to politics, prioritizing immediate constituent needs over past controversies.
- Cuomo's experience and ability to lead during crises, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be drawing support from Democrats.
- Pro-education groups like PLACE NYC have endorsed Cuomo based on his education platform [4].
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/nyregion/cuomo-mayor-endorsement.html[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-endorses-rival-andrew-cuomo-new-york-city-n1082136[3] https://www.华盛顿邮报.com/politics/2022/11/08/cuomo-says-he-wouldnt-have-resigned-if-he-had-to-do-it-again/[4] https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/14/cuomo-endorsements-places-nyc-00090994[5] https://www.vox.com/2022/11/15/23460121/cuomo-endorsements-new-york-city-mayor-race-double-standard-me-too
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Politics plays a significant role in the endorsements of candidates, as demonstrated by the New York Democrats who previously called for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation due to sexual harassment allegations but are now supporting his bid for New York City Mayor. This situation mirrors the Republican Party's turnaround on President Donald Trump between the U.S. Capitol riot in 2021 and his 2024 presidential bid.
Immigration issues also draw political attention, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested the National Guard to search for and transport unaccompanied migrant children. Despite these ongoing matters, politics and general news continue to dominate headlines and influence decision-making among key stakeholders.
