Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially announced his candidacy for the mayor of New York City, marking a significant return to the political arena following his resignation in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment. His announcement comes as he prepares to challenge incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is currently facing his own legal issues related to bribery and fraud charges.
Cuomo's campaign is backed by a newly established political action committee, Fix the City, which aims to raise up to $15 million from affluent donors, potentially surpassing fundraising efforts from Adams' previous campaign. A recent poll indicates that Cuomo has garnered support from 33% of Democratic primary voters, while Adams trails with 10%.
In a video announcing his bid, Cuomo addressed his past controversies, acknowledging that he made mistakes during his time in office. He expressed a desire to demonstrate personal growth since his resignation. His return to politics follows a January 2024 settlement agreement with the Justice Department, which resolved claims of sexual harassment and retaliation against him. The investigation concluded that Cuomo created a "sexually hostile work environment" for at least 13 women during his governorship.
The upcoming New York City mayoral primary is scheduled for June, with the general election to follow in early November. Other Democratic candidates in the race include State Senator Zellnor Myrie, city comptroller Brad Lander, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, former comptroller Scott Stringer, and former state Assembly member Michael Blake. As the election approaches, the dynamics of the race continue to evolve amid the backdrop of legal challenges and past controversies.