(New York) Former Governor Andrew Cuomo launched himself in the New York town hall race on Monday, reviving his campaign after a stinging defeat against progressive Zohran Mamdani during the Democratic primaries.
In a video, Mr. Cuomo announced that he would remain in the race to face Mr. Mamdani, an elected representative democratic, while providing for a strategic overhaul which would bring a more personal approach to a campaign criticized for his distance from voters.
“The fight to save our city is not over,” said Andrew Cuomo. Only 13 % of New Yorkers voted in June primaries. The general elections will take place in November and I am here to win them. »»
Critics of the progressive program of Zohran Mamdani, which notably provides for an increase in taxes for the richest, called on donors and voters to unite behind a single candidate for the November elections. But the field is tight and Mr. Cuomo, as well as the current mayor Eric Adams, also an independent candidate, are now faced with the complex task of gathering enough voters in a mainly democratic city where Mr. Mamdani has acquired a significant influence.
Photo Jeenah Moon, Reuters archives
Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for New York town hall
In a press release, Jeffrey Lerner, spokesperson for Zohran Mamdani, criticized MM. Cuomo and Adams, stressing that the Democratic candidate “endeavors to make this city more affordable for New Yorkers”.
Mr. Cuomo’s decision to continue his way is the last chapter of his attempt to return, launched almost four years after his resignation from governor in 2021 following an avalanche of allegations of sexual harassment.
He denied any embezzlement during the campaign, saying that scandal was motivated by political considerations.
The former governor was the alleged favorite for a large part of the primary. His campaign, a real master stroke, was largely based on his great political experience, his universal notoriety and a powerful fundraising campaign, while limiting interviews in the media, organizing few improvised events and avoiding mingling with voters.
This prudent strategy contrasts strongly with the energetic campaign of Mr. Mamdani, focused on improving the cost of living in the city and which has gathered a legion of volunteers, while its insightful image on social networks has earned it national recognition.
The brilliant victory of Zohran Mamdani caused a real outcry within the Democratic Party, energizing young progressives, but also destabilizing the moderates who feared that the candidate’s criticisms towards Israel and his socialist label will alienate the centrist voters.
Weaknesses in his campaign
In his video on Monday, Mr. Cuomo seemed to recognize the weaknesses of his campaign, intersecting his latest speech on the political scene of sequences where he hits hands and promising to carry out a more concrete campaign.
“Every day, I will travel the street to meet you, where you are, to hear the good and the bad, the problems and the solutions,” he said, because in the coming months, it is my responsibility to win your vote. »»
Zohran Mamdani was relatively unknown when he launched his candidacy for the town hall, but he gained momentum before beating the former governor of more than 12 percentage points. Mr. Cuomo conceded the race the same evening of the election.
Despite this defeat, Cuomo was qualified to appear on an independent ballot in November, under the banner of a party he created, “Fight and Deliver”.
Mr. Cuomo began to lose the support of his traditional allies when he hesitated to stay in the race. Key unions and political leaders have started to join Mr. Mamdani. The Reverend Al Sharpton, an influential black leader, urged Andrew Cuomo to withdraw.
Some wealthy donors have meanwhile joined Eric Adams. Although he is still a democrat, Mr. Adams withdrew from the primary shortly after a federal judge rejected a corruption case against him at the request of the justice department of President Donald Trump, arguing that this case had dismissed him from his campaign.
Photo Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press Archives
The outgoing mayor of New York, Eric Adams
Eric Adams said in a press release published by his campaign team that “Mr. Cuomo wasted time and divides voters. »»
“People talked loud and clear: he lost. However, he continues to place himself above his main objective: to defeat Mamdani and ensure the future of our city, “explained Mr. Adams.
Jim Walden, a former prosecutor, also presents himself as an independent candidate. Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels anti -crime patrol, created in the 1970s, is on the republican side.
Mr. Cuomo’s campaign team published a statement later on Monday, indicating that the former governor had accepted a proposal from Mr. Walden that “in mid-September, we will determine which candidate is the strongest against Mr. Mamdani and all the other candidates will withdraw, rather than playing the spoilsport and guaranteeing the election of Mr. Mamdani. »»
MM. Adams and Sliwa both insisted on their intention not to abandon the race.
