New York Mayor Eric Adams has announced his endorsement of former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in the city’s mayoral race, marking a dramatic reconciliation between two Democrats who had recently been at odds. The move comes as Adams seeks to counter the growing popularity of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and a progressive state assemblyman.
Adams, who ended his own re-election campaign last month after acknowledging he had no viable path to victory, previously lashed out at Cuomo for allegedly pressuring him to quit the race, calling him “a snake and a liar.” However, the two appeared to have reconciled on Wednesday night when they were spotted sitting courtside together at the New York Knicks’ season opener, just hours after Cuomo participated in the race’s final debate.
New York Mayor Race Endorsement
Speaking on Thursday, Adams said he would campaign alongside Cuomo in neighbourhoods hardest hit by gentrification, urging Black and brown communities to rally behind the former governor.
“I think it is imperative to wake up communities that have suffered from gentrification on how important this race is,” Adams said, emphasising his focus on safety and stability.
Adams defended his endorsement by warning that Mamdani’s policies were “too extreme,” criticizing proposals to disband the Police Department’s Strategic Response Group, decriminalize prostitution, and release thousands of Rikers Island inmates. “All the work I’ve done to make our city safe could be undone,” Adams said.
Both Adams and Cuomo represent the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, sharing pro-business and pro-police stances. They fell out when Cuomo entered the race in March, exploiting Adams’ political vulnerability. Cuomo, who is now running as a third-party candidate, said he welcomed the mayor’s support, describing Mamdani as “a dangerously inexperienced candidate who could hurt this city.”
With early voting set to begin Saturday, Cuomo faces limited time to change the race’s trajectory. His team has also pressured Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa who holds about 15% of voter support to withdraw, though Sliwa has refused, calling Adams “a crook” during the final debate.
