Supporters of Andrew Cuomo's primary campaign have been notably silent
In the New York City mayoral race, former Governor Andrew Cuomo finds himself without the backing of many of his previous supporters. After his decisive loss in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani and his subsequent independent campaign, most of Cuomo's early endorsers have remained quiet or have switched allegiance.
Cuomo once enjoyed the support of prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, around 35 elected officials, and powerful unions. However, following sexual misconduct allegations, some of these endorsers initially opposed Cuomo but later reversed their positions to support him in the primary. After his primary defeat, none of these endorsers have publicly reaffirmed their support for his independent campaign.
Some, such as Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and unions like 1199 SEIU and 32BJ SEIU, have explicitly endorsed Mamdani instead. Bichotte Hermelyn, who abandoned Cuomo after the primary, is confident that most elected officials in Brooklyn will endorse Mamdani by November.
The lack of reaffirmation is partly due to the personal nature of endorsements and the need for endorsers to feel comfortable in their decision. Cuomo’s choice to run outside the Democratic party after losing the primary complicates this. Policy and political dynamics also play a role, as Cuomo faces significant roadblocks and skepticism about his chances and campaign focus in the general election following his primary defeat.
Some party leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, have not yet backed the Democratic nominee. Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, one of Cuomo's first primary endorsers, 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.
Cuomo's spokesperson Rich Azzopardi stated that the governor has been actively campaigning in various parts of the city. Despite this, several of Cuomo's primary supporters have stayed silent, reflecting a reluctance to continue backing a candidate no longer the Democratic nominee and with a controversial past.
There is still time for party leaders to make their endorsement decisions. Assembly Member David Weprin has not yet declared his support for any candidate, while neither Assembly Member Jordan Wright nor Erik Dilan have made their endorsement decisions yet. Keith Wright, one of the party leaders who endorsed Mamdani following the primary, understands the trepidation involved in endorsing a candidate. Both Wright and Dilan confirmed that Cuomo has not reached out to ask for their support.
As the general election approaches, the lack of support from Cuomo's previous endorsers could prove to be a significant challenge for his campaign. The race remains tight, with Mamdani and Cuomo vying for the position of New York City's next mayor.
Policy and politics have notably affected Cuomo's independent mayoral campaign, as his former endorsers, including prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and several elected officials and unions, have remained quiet or offered their support to Zohran Mamdani instead. This reluctance can be attributed to the personal nature of endorsements, policy and political dynamics, and the concerns about Cuomo's chances and campaign focus in the general election after his primary defeat.
