Cuomo: Mamdani has advantage as the Democrat on ballot
The former New York governor — who launched an independent bid after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary — said he fears voters will flock to the democratic socialist assemblyman simply because he's listed as the Democrat.
'A multi-candidate field favors Mamdani — because he's a socialist on the Democratic line. I'm a Democrat on an independent line,' Cuomo said in an interview on CNBC's 'Squawk Box.'
'Because politics is all upside down in this country right now,' he added.
'But you have a lot of people who knee-jerk go to the Democratic line, right? About 70 percent of the voters are Democrats in the general election, and he'll be on the Democratic line. So multi-candidate field favors him,' Cuomo said.
Cuomo formally announced he is running as an independent in New York City's mayoral race on July 14, shortly after losing the primary election to Mamdani.
Mamdani defeated Cuomo by about 12 points, 56 percent to 44 percent, in the third round of ranked choice voting in the primary.
Cuomo joins Mamdani, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election race.
Mamdani's critics fear that a crowded general election could result in his opponents splitting the vote, easily handing Mamdani a victory.
Cuomo has proposed an arrangement whereby he and Adams agree to drop out of the race by mid-September if neither is in the lead against Mamdani.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
Nevada governor's race shaping up as a marquee battle in a state carried by Trump
LAS VEGAS -- Setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive fight for Nevada governor, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Monday he will challenge Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo next year. Ford represents the highest-profile Democrat to enter the still-emerging contest in a battleground state carried by President Donald Trump in 2024. In the election, Trump made gains among younger voters, voters without a college degree and Black and Hispanic men. 'Nevadans are suffering in an economy that is rigged against those trying their hardest to stay afloat,' Ford said in a statement. "I will work to lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.' The Better Nevada PAC — which supports Lombardo — called Ford a 'radical' who has pushed a 'dangerous woke agenda' on Nevada families. Even with the primary election nearly a year away, the race is widely seen as a toss-up, in part because Nevada is narrowly divided between Democrats and Republicans. As in many parts of the country, residents continue to be stressed by the cost of living and a lack of affordable housing. The race will unfold during an unsettled time nationally, with Democrats still trying to recast their brand after 2024 losses in Congress and the White House. Meanwhile, recent polling found only about one-quarter of U.S. adults say that President Donald Trump's policies have helped them since he took office. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found underwhelming marks for the president on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. Lombardo, who is expected to run for reelection, would come to the race with the advantages of incumbency. Not surprisingly in a swing state, he has sought to fashion a generally middle-ground Republican reputation at a time when Americans are deeply divided by partisan politics. Last month, Lombardo unexpectedly vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show a photo ID at the polls — a conservative priority across the country and something that has been on Lombardo's legislative wish list. The bill came together as a compromise between the governor and the top Democrat in the state Assembly, who wanted to add more drop boxes for mail ballots in the days leading up to an election. In his veto message, Lombardo said he 'wholeheartedly' supports voter ID laws but felt the final version fell short on addressing his concerns about ballots cast by mail, because such ballots could still be accepted 'solely on the basis of a signature match' under the bill. If elected, Ford would be Nevada's first Black governor. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, political scientist David Damore said Democrats have lost ground in the state. But there is a path for Ford if the party can make the election a referendum on the Trump economy — including cuts for Medicaid and green energy programs and declining Las Vegas tourism — while avoiding identity politics issues that have cost Democrats with voters. 'A caveat is there is no U.S. Senate race in 2026, which typically injects lots of Democratic resources into the state,' he added in an email.
an hour ago
Wisconsin's Democratic secretary of state won't run for governor but mulls lieutenant governor bid
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski doesn't plan to run for governor or for a full term in her current position, but she is considering running for lieutenant governor next year, an adviser said Monday. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he won't seek a third term in the battleground state, creating an open race next year. Godlewski was one of several Democrats mentioned as a possible contender. But on Monday, Godlewski made it clear that she is instead looking into running for the state's No. 2 role, instead of governor or secretary of state. 'She is making calls to leaders across the state and will make a final decision on a run in the coming weeks,' adviser Scott Spector said. 'If she gets in this race, it will be with significant support from elected and local Democrats from across Wisconsin.' Godlewski, 43, was appointed by Evers as secretary of state in March 2023 after the incumbent resigned less than three months into his term. Unlike in most states, the office does not run elections in Wisconsin and has almost no official duties. Godlewski previously served as state treasurer from 2019 to 2023 and ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 but she dropped out of the race to clear the way for then-Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes to win the nomination. He lost in the general election and is now among those considering a run for governor. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced her candidacy for governor on Friday, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he plans to take steps soon to mount a run. Other Democrats considering a run include Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, state Sen. Kelda Roys and Barnes. Evers told reporters in Milwaukee on Monday that he was unlikely to endorse anyone in the primary. 'I'll never say never, but I want to make sure who the rest of the candidates are before I even make that decision," Evers said. There are two announced candidates on the Republican side: Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and manufacturer Bill Berrien. Other Republicans considering running for governor include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and state Senate President Mary Felzkowski, Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker released a video on Sunday saying he would not be running for the office he held from 2011 until 2019. Walker had jokingly hinted that he might consider a run in a post on X last week, but on Sunday said he would instead be focused on his work as president of the Young America's Foundation, which tries to get college-aged conservatives involved in politics.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former Gov. Roy Cooper says Senate run spurred by battle for health care access
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Democrat Roy Cooper made it official Monday morning: The former governor will run for Senate in North Carolina. His announcement comes weeks after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced he would not seek re-election. 'I've thought on it and prayed about it, and I've decided I want to serve as your next United States senator,' Cooper said in the two-minute video posted to X. Roy Cooper entrance gives Democrats hope more Senate recruiting wins are on the way Cooper said he is entering the race with a goal of fixing a growing wealth disparity and protecting access to Medicare and Medicaid. He added that he had no prior plans to go to Washington, but that his plans changed after he said those problems came to the forefront. With Cooper in and Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley expected to run, experts are predicting more than $100 million to be spent on messaging over the course of the campaign. RELATED: RNC Chair Michael Whatley to run for Senate seat 'It's going to be massive, massive, massive sums of money. And I think that was going to be true no matter who the candidates were. You put a name like Roy Cooper in there, and it is just going to expand that, and somebody with the connections of Michael Whatley, same thing,' said Chris Cooper with Western Carolina University. While Whatley does have President Trump's endorsement, it is still unknown when Michael Whatley will officially announce his candidacy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
