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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Andrew Cuomo's comeback? Meet the former NY gov vying to become NYC's next mayor
The Brief Andrew Cuomo was first elected governor of New York in 2010. Cuomo has focused his mayoral campaign on what he describes as "a city in crisis." "It's a very simple question I think for voters this year: who can manage the city?" NEW YORK CITY - Democratic candidate and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is running to be the city's next mayor, aiming to succeed incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who's running for re-election as an Independent. MORE: Meet the candidates running for NYC mayor: List Cuomo has focused his mayoral campaign on what he describes as "a city in crisis." Dig deeper Cuomo's political career began in the early 1980s, when he managed his father's gubernatorial campaign. He later held several roles in public service, including as chair of the New York City Homeless Commission and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Bill Clinton. In 2006, he was elected New York Attorney General, and in 2010, he won the governorship, serving three terms before stepping down. Cuomo's resignation in 2021 followed multiple investigations, primarily related to sexual harassment allegations, including inappropriate comments and groping. A report found he harassed 11 women, many of whom were current or former employees. MORE: Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo testifies before congress on COVID-19 nursing home response In one accusation, Lindsey Boylan, a former aide, accused Cuomo of years of harassment, including forcing a kiss and pressuring her to play strip poker. He "deeply, deeply" apologized to the "11 women who I truly offended." But he continued to deny the most serious allegations outlined in the report and again blamed the allegations as misunderstandings attributed to "generational and cultural differences." In addition to sexual misconduct allegations, Cuomo faced criticism over his handling of COVID-19. His administration was scrutinized for its management of death data in nursing homes. Andrew, a Queens native, is one of five children from a prominent New York Italian political family. His father, Mario, was the 52nd governor of New York, having also served as lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 and the Secretary of State of New York from 1975 to 1978. His mother, Matilda, was an American advocate for women and children. His brother, Chris, is a former CNN journalist and current NewsNation anchor. Andrew's elder sister, Margaret, is a noted radiologist. Andrew has three daughters with his ex-wife, Kerry Kennedy, the seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy. Together, they have twins, Cara and Mariah, and Michaela. The couple separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005. Cuomo began dating TV chef Sandra Lee in 2005 until their breakup in 2019. Although they never married, Lee played the role of New York's first lady, frequently appearing beside Cuomo at official functions while largely staying out of state politics. Local perspective Cuomo argues that the city feels unsafe and out of control because of poor leadership, and he believes his experience makes him the right person to fix these problems and bring the city back on track. "It's a very simple question I think for voters this year: who can manage the city?" Cuomo said in an appearance on Good Day New York. "What has happened to New York City? We've had two past mayors, with all due respect, who didn't know how to manage the city." According to his campaign website, Cuomo "has the leadership skills and experience to make government work for the people of New York City." The former governor plans to increase the supply of affordable housing, increase the size of the NYPD and expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services. "This is a management job," Cuomo said. "You've got to be able to get things done. I have a plan, I have a plan, I have a plan, everybody has a plan. Question is, can you get it done? And they know I get things done. I ran the state of New York." For a closer look at Cuomo's stance on all issues, click HERE.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cuomo seeks to woo centrists in NYC mayor's race
Andrew Cuomo is aiming to supplant New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) as the top centrist candidate in the city's upcoming election, appealing to voter concerns about crime and stressing his leadership bona fides as Adams finds himself mired in controversy. Cuomo finally entered the mayor's race a week ago after months of build-up and immediately jumped in front of the pack as the early frontrunner. Many other candidates have been in the race for months but have mostly stayed in single or low double digits in polling. The former governor of New York, Cuomo has focused his messaging on his ability to get things done at a time when New York City voters have expressed anxiety about the quality of living and outrage at allegations that Adams engaged in a quid pro quo with the Trump administration over immigration. 'It's not just this big grand vision,' said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish, who is supporting Cuomo. 'It's also 'I am capable and know how to pull the levers of government, involve the private sector, incentivize the private sector to achieve a result that answers a crisis that New Yorkers are experiencing.'' Cuomo declared as he launched his political comeback attempt that the city is in 'crisis' and needs 'effective leadership' to ensure that government works. And he's remained steady in that message as he's methodically rolled out his campaign over the past week. He started his campaign with a 17-and-a-half-minute video detailing his political experience, previously overseeing the New York City Homeless Commission and serving as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, state attorney general and governor. He touted raising the minimum wage, adding gun control laws, being a leader in approving same-sex marriage, protecting abortion rights and executing numerous major infrastructure projects. Reinish said Cuomo reminding people of his record could make a difference, getting them to recall his successes as governor for more than a decade. While Cuomo has developed a reputation as a moderate, he used the word 'progressive' to describe his past accomplishments and referenced it more than a half dozen other times in the video. But analysts have said the race will likely be mostly about who can prove themselves an effective leader who can accomplish their goals and keep the city safe, and at least one poll suggests this dynamic could give Cuomo an advantage. The poll from Gotham Polling & Analytics released last month showed Cuomo clearly leading in the first round of a ranked-choice voting matchup and pulling out a win in the final round with 51 percent to city Comptroller Brad Lander's 31 percent and state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani's 18 percent. The top three qualities that respondents said they wanted in a mayor were strong ethical standards, the ability to manage complex crises and proven leadership experience. A majority said they view Cuomo as a tough leader who can get things done or someone who handled the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilt infrastructure. Cuomo's best performance came with those 50 and older, and those are also the ones who said they cared the most about public safety and are the most likely to turn out in the primary, said Stephen Graves, the president of Gotham Polling. 'These things are surely known to the Cuomo campaign,' he said. 'This is certainly not his first time in politics, but this is clear that he's going to focus on those issues.' The Hill has reached out to Cuomo's campaign for comment. The state of crime in New York is complicated, with mixed statistics telling the story of some positive and negative trends. Adams has sought to emphasize the successes, but he, Cuomo and other candidates have widely acknowledged a feeling of fear of crime in the city. While the candidates have recognized that fear, they've taken different approaches on how to address it. Mamdani and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who are running on more left-wing platforms, have called for scaling back the role of the police and finding alternatives in certain instances. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and Lander all previously leaned more to the left on policing and criminal justice, with Stringer and Lander expressing support for cutting police funding in 2020. That leaves Adams and Cuomo in the more consistently moderate lane and potentially competing for the same types of voters, but with Adams facing the major stumbling block of ethical questions and concerns about his independence from Trump. 'Eric Adams was the kind of one guy who had rejected ['defund the police'] from day one,' said one New York Democrat. 'He did appeal to moderates, and he appealed, obviously, to the Black and brown communities, but in terms of the actual message and what people were offering… 2021 is nothing like 2025.' The Democrat noted that many officials who have endorsed Cuomo, including former state Comptroller Carl McCall, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., are Black or brown. These were communities that were key parts of Adams's victory four years ago. They said Cuomo also benefits from his charisma, giving a feeling that he's the candidate to 'shake up' the system even if other candidates have some similar proposals to him. Without him in the race, none of the other candidates against Adams have broken through yet months after they entered. 'People often have a very strong opinion about him,' they said. 'But what's interesting is… sometimes it's beyond the for-or-against, it's people that just simply know him. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard people say, he's a real asshole, but I think that's what we need.' But pollsters warn that even with polls showing him clearly in front, he still must find ways to make gains to clinch the win, which may be difficult. Mary Snow, an assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, noted that although Cuomo led by 20 points over his closest competitor in a poll released Wednesday, the 16 percent who said they're undecided could still swing the race. 'That really indicates that there is opportunity for candidates to grow their support,' she said. 'And the big question is, how is that going to factor into the race? This primary is just a little more than three months away, so it's not a ton of time.' Graves said Cuomo's goal should be to at least 'soften' some negative feelings about him to get more voters to be willing to place him as their second or third choice in ranked-choice voting. While Cuomo has a big lead in the first round in the Gotham poll, he sees a big drop in how many named him as their second choice. 'If you can't get them to vote for you as the first, if you can at least get them to put you on as second, that's almost as good,' he said. And Cuomo may be dogged by continuing questions about the controversies that led to his resignation as governor, including his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and several accusations of sexual misconduct against him, which he has consistently denied. He appeared to acknowledge 'mistakes' during his campaign launch and said he has learned from them and hopes to show he is a better person because of it. He then steered his statement back toward his competency. 'But I promise you this, I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it, and I will give it my all to get the job done — and it will get done,' he said. Reinish said Cuomo's focus should be on his record and his vision, but he should be prepared for the questions he'll face. 'There are questions that people still have, and you answer them calmly, thoughtfully and carefully, and I believe that's exactly what he's going to do,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Cuomo seeks to woo centrists in NYC mayor's race
Andrew Cuomo is aiming to supplant New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) as the top centrist candidate in the city's upcoming election, appealing to voter concerns about crime and stressing his leadership bona fides as Adams finds himself mired in controversy. Cuomo finally entered the mayor's race a week ago after months of build-up and immediately jumped in front of the pack as the early frontrunner. Many other candidates have been in the race for months but have mostly stayed in single or low double digits in polling. The former governor of New York, Cuomo has focused his messaging on his ability to get things done at a time when New York City voters have expressed anxiety about the quality of living and outrage at allegations that Adams engaged in a quid pro quo with the Trump administration over immigration. 'It's not just this big grand vision,' said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish, who is supporting Cuomo. 'It's also 'I am capable and know how to pull the levers of government, involve the private sector, incentivize the private sector to achieve a result that answers a crisis that New Yorkers are experiencing.'' Cuomo declared as he launched his political comeback attempt that the city is in 'crisis' and needs 'effective leadership' to ensure that government works. And he's remained steady in that message as he's methodically rolled out his campaign over the past week. He started his campaign with a 17-and-a-half-minute video detailing his political experience, previously overseeing the New York City Homeless Commission and serving as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, state attorney general and governor. He touted raising the minimum wage, adding gun control laws, being a leader in approving same-sex marriage, protecting abortion rights and executing numerous major infrastructure projects. Reinish said Cuomo reminding people of his record could make a difference, getting them to recall his successes as governor for more than a decade. While Cuomo has developed a reputation as a moderate, he used the word 'progressive' to describe his past accomplishments and referenced it more than a half dozen other times in the video. But analysts have said the race will likely be mostly about who can prove themselves an effective leader who can accomplish their goals and keep the city safe, and at least one poll suggests this dynamic could give Cuomo an advantage. The poll from Gotham Polling & Analytics released last month showed Cuomo clearly leading in the first round of a ranked-choice voting matchup and pulling out a win in the final round with 51 percent to city Comptroller Brad Lander's 31 percent and state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani's 18 percent. The top three qualities that respondents said they wanted in a mayor were strong ethical standards, the ability to manage complex crises and proven leadership experience. A majority said they view Cuomo as a tough leader who can get things done or someone who handled the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilt infrastructure. Cuomo's best performance came with those 50 and older, and those are also the ones who said they cared the most about public safety and are the most likely to turn out in the primary, said Stephen Graves, the president of Gotham Polling. 'These things are surely known to the Cuomo campaign,' he said. 'This is certainly not his first time in politics, but this is clear that he's going to focus on those issues.' The Hill has reached out to Cuomo's campaign for comment. The state of crime in New York is complicated, with mixed statistics telling the story of some positive and negative trends. Adams has sought to emphasize the successes, but he, Cuomo and other candidates have widely acknowledged a feeling of fear of crime in the city. While the candidates have recognized that fear, they've taken different approaches on how to address it. Mamdani and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who are running on more left-wing platforms, have called for scaling back the role of the police and finding alternatives in certain instances. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and Lander all previously leaned more to the left on policing and criminal justice, with Stringer and Lander expressing support for cutting police funding in 2020. That leaves Adams and Cuomo in the more consistently moderate lane and potentially competing for the same types of voters, but with Adams facing the major stumbling block of ethical questions and concerns about his independence from Trump. 'Eric Adams was the kind of one guy who had rejected ['defund the police'] from day one,' said one New York Democrat. 'He did appeal to moderates, and he appealed, obviously, to the Black and brown communities, but in terms of the actual message and what people were offering… 2021 is nothing like 2025.' The Democrat noted that many officials who have endorsed Cuomo, including former state Comptroller Carl McCall, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., are Black or brown. These were communities that were key parts of Adams's victory four years ago. They said Cuomo also benefits from his charisma, giving a feeling that he's the candidate to 'shake up' the system even if other candidates have some similar proposals to him. Without him in the race, none of the other candidates against Adams have broken through yet months after they entered. 'People often have a very strong opinion about him,' they said. 'But what's interesting is… sometimes it's beyond the for-or-against, it's people that just simply know him. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard people say, he's a real asshole, but I think that's what we need.' But pollsters warn that even with polls showing him clearly in front, he still must find ways to make gains to clinch the win, which may be difficult. Mary Snow, an assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, noted that although Cuomo led by 20 points over his closest competitor in a poll released Wednesday, the 16 percent who said they're undecided could still swing the race. 'That really indicates that there is opportunity for candidates to grow their support,' she said. 'And the big question is, how is that going to factor into the race? This primary is just a little more than three months away, so it's not a ton of time.' Graves said Cuomo's goal should be to at least 'soften' some negative feelings about him to get more voters to be willing to place him as their second or third choice in ranked-choice voting. While Cuomo has a big lead in the first round in the Gotham poll, he sees a big drop in how many named him as their second choice. 'If you can't get them to vote for you as the first, if you can at least get them to put you on as second, that's almost as good,' he said. And Cuomo may be dogged by continuing questions about the controversies that led to his resignation as governor, including his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and several accusations of sexual misconduct against him, which he has consistently denied. He appeared to acknowledge 'mistakes' during his campaign launch and said he has learned from them and hopes to show he is a better person because of it. He then steered his statement back toward his competency. 'But I promise you this, I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it, and I will give it my all to get the job done — and it will get done,' he said. Reinish said Cuomo's focus should be on his record and his vision, but he should be prepared for the questions he'll face. 'There are questions that people still have, and you answer them calmly, thoughtfully and carefully, and I believe that's exactly what he's going to do,' he said.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces run for NYC mayor
The Brief Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially announced his bid for NYC mayor, entering a crowded race. Despite stepping down as governor in 2021 amid scandal, Cuomo is seeking a political comeback, positioning himself as a solution to the city's most pressing issues. Cuomo, a Queen's native, began his political career in the early 1980s, when he managed his father's gubernatorial campaign. NEW YORK CITY - Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially announced his bid for NYC mayor, entering the crowded 2025 race. "Are you ready to fight to save our city? I know that I am," Cuomo said in a 17-minute video posted to YouTube where he reintroduce himself to a city he once led . "Let me start by telling you what you already know: New York City is the greatest city in the world." Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, 2025 mayoral candidate This comes as embattled and sanctioned New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he's staying in the race. In a recent poll taken earlier this month, Cuomo led with 33%. Public polling has him in a comfortable lead over the other Democrats in the race. MORE: Who is running for NYC mayor? This time around Cuomo seems to be focusing his 2025 mayoral campaign on what he describes as a city in crisis. In his 2025 mayoral campaign ad, Cuomo positioned himself as a leader ready to address what he calls "a city in crisis." Cuomo argues that the city feels unsafe and out of control because of poor leadership, and he believes his experience makes him the right person to fix these problems and bring the city back on track. Despite stepping down as governor in 2021 amid scandal, Cuomo is seeking a political comeback, positioning himself as a solution to the city's most pressing issues. The backstory Here's everything you need to know about the former governor, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo's political career began in the early 1980s, when he managed his father's gubernatorial campaign. He later held several roles in public service, including as chair of the New York City Homeless Commission and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Bill Clinton. In 2006, he was elected New York Attorney General, and in 2010, he won the governorship, serving three terms before stepping down. Andrew Cuomo, a Queens native, is one of five children from a prominent New York Italian political family. His father, Mario Cuomo, was the 52nd governor of New York, having also served as lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 and the Secretary of State of New York from 1975 to 1978. His mother, Matilda, was an American advocate for women and children. His brother, Chris Cuomo, is a former CNN journalist and current NewsNation anchor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew gained the nickname "Love Gov" in response to leading the state's pandemic efforts and his pandering on live TV with Chris. Andrew's elder sister, Margaret Cuomo, is a noted radiologist. Cuomo is not currently married but has three daughters with his ex-wife, Kerry Kennedy, the seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy. Together, they have twins, Cara and Mariah, and Michaela. The couple separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005. Cuomo began dating TV chef Sandra Lee in 2005 until their breakup in 2019. Although they never married, Lee played the role of New York's first lady, frequently appearing beside Cuomo at official functions while largely staying out of state politics. Dig deeper Cuomo's resignation in 2021 followed multiple investigations, primarily related to sexual harassment allegations, including inappropriate comments and groping. A report found he harassed 11 women, many of whom were current or former employees. In one accusation, Lindsey Boylan, a former aide, accused Cuomo of years of harassment, including forcing a kiss and pressuring her to play strip poker. He "deeply, deeply" apologized to the "11 women who I truly offended." But he continued to deny the most serious allegations outlined in the report and again blamed the allegations as misunderstandings attributed to "generational and cultural differences." In addition to sexual misconduct allegations, Cuomo faced criticism over his handling of COVID-19. His administration was scrutinized for its management of death data in nursing homes. Another controversy involved his $5 million book deal, "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," which sparked an investigation by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) for potential misuse of taxpayer funds. Further accusations claimed that friends and family received preferential access to COVID-19 testing early in the pandemic. Cuomo denied the most serious allegations, stating that impeachment would take away resources from the pandemic efforts. His resignation marked the end of his political career and a key chapter in the Cuomo family's political legacy. During his time as governor, Cuomo enacted several significant reforms: Legalized same-sex marriage in 2011, making New York the sixth state to do so. Passed legislation to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis. Enacted the NY SAFE Act, one of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S. Oversaw major infrastructure projects, including the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Second Avenue Subway, and the reconstruction of LaGuardia Airport. Delivered Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and introduced paid family leave and a gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Decommissioned the Indian Point nuclear plant, shifting towards renewable energy despite an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Though some view his return as an opportunity to bring seasoned leadership back to the city, others question whether his past controversies will overshadow his ability to lead. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on Cuomo as he attempts to re-establish his place in New York politics. Here's a quick look at the key candidates vying for mayor in 2025: Mayor Eric Adams Brad Lander Jessica Ramos Whitney Tilson Zellnor Myrie Zohran Mamdani Scott Stringer Michael Blake Jim Walden Why you should care In ranked choice voting, you can rank up to 5 candidates. First Round: If a candidate gets over 50%, they win. No Majority? The lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and their votes go to voters' next choices. Repeat: This continues until two candidates remain, and the one with the most votes wins. Results are final only after all ballots (including absentee) are counted. For the June 27 Primary, ranked-choice voting will be used for City Council races. Here's a quick look at the key candidates vying for mayor and what they stand for. What you can do June 9: Last day to change your address before the June primary. June 14: Last day to change your address before the general election. New York City will use ranked-choice voting in Primary and Special Elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. This change was approved by voters in 2019.
