Many fellow New York Democrats wish he would stay there.
Cuomo’s allies have insisted the mercurial former governor’s aggressive style would serve as a positive and is needed as New York City faces an uncertain future.
Cuomo’s team also sees a moment in New York City — beset by a migrant crisis and a sluggish post-pandemic recovery — that would be ripe for his leadership.
Cuomo could also draw support from key New York City Jewish leaders as well as monied real-estate interests concerned with the left-ward drift of the city politics.
Few New York Democrats doubt Cuomo can be an effective leader.
NEW YORK: Andrew Cuomo desires to escape the wilderness of politics. He should stay there, according to many Democrats in New York.
An anonymous source familiar with the planning and fundraising process revealed that worries about Cuomo’s potential candidacy for mayor of New York City have prompted a group of advocacy, business, and labor organizations to contemplate a concerted effort to thwart any political resurgence.
Separately, in private, some Democratic leaders are pushing state Attorney General Tish James, who assisted in Cuomo’s removal from office three years prior, to run for mayor in the event that Eric Adams steps down. A James candidacy for mayor could put Cuomo in a chokehold since she would probably attract Black voters in Brooklyn, the borough where she was raised. This is a foundation that the former governor needs if he decides to run for mayor.
James is receiving some of the publicity surrounding his potential mayoral campaign, which was first announced by The New York Post and subsequently verified by POLITICO. Advocates of Kathy Hochul. In addition, some Democrats are evaluating James as a possible 2026 gubernatorial contender to succeed Hochul, who continues to poll poorly in state public surveys. James ran for governor briefly three years prior.
James’s run for mayor would accomplish two goals: keep Hochul safe and deter Cuomo.
Hochul ally Jay Jacobs, the chair of the New York Democratic Party, stated that he is “hearing a lot of enthusiasm” for James to run for mayor in a special election. He is hesitant to say whether she should run, though, which is understandable given how Adams’ five-count indictment has shaken the political landscape in the state.
He declared, “I’m not weighing in or suggesting that anyone should run for mayor.”. Personally, I really like her. This raises a hypothetical question. The mayor is still in the same place. “.
James stated her intention to continue serving as attorney general. After serving as a well-known statewide elected official for six years, some Democrats have privately questioned whether she would want to run for municipal office.
James’ group chose not to respond.
Cuomo has alarmed and irritated advisors, elected officials, and journalists for decades. He is a self-admitted micromanager.
In 2021, he resigned from the governor’s position in the midst of a scandal. Cuomo resigned as a result of a James report that found he had sexually harassed 11 women. He has repudiated all misconduct.
When a state legislator voiced opposition to the state’s Covid nursing home policy, Cuomo personally threatened the legislator. Cuomo has a history of intimidating and berating people who disagree with him.
A senior Cuomo aide told the then-Governor of Connecticut, “We operate on two speeds here: Get along and kill.”. In 2011, the office of Dannel Malloy. This mindset shaped the way he dealt with anyone who he felt stood in his way during his tenure as governor.
Cuomo supporters think that his tough demeanor contributed to his success as governor, but some New York Democrats are afraid of what a second act from him might look like if he runs for office again.
Cuomo’s supporters have maintained that the volatile former governor’s assertive approach would be advantageous and necessary given the uncertain future facing New York City. They see his skill as a shrewd political operative and manager as highly appropriate for a highly complicated position supervising a sizable municipal administration.
Also, Cuomo would become less of a part of the political establishment by returning to public office, which is unusual for a seasoned politician and might prove to be a surprising asset.
Cuomo’s team also sees an opportunity for him to take the helm in New York City, which is struggling with a migrant crisis and a slow post-pandemic recovery. According to a Siena College survey conducted last month, 51% of city voters think that New York is going in the wrong way.
However, over time, the former governor alienated influential figures in business, labor, and elected office. Few wanted to speak on the record for fear of upsetting him, which is indicative of how Democrats still carry around painful memories.
In order to influence campaign contributions and voter turnout, Cuomo would also need to assemble the leaders of the business and labor sectors, who are integral to the political fabric of the city. Since the former governor advised the late Mario Cuomo for many years, many of these political heavyweights have either worked with or known him personally.
They are aware of his effectiveness when exercising authority. However, memories of Cuomo’s challenging tenure in office are long.
The former governor said, “This has happened with very intelligent, very organized, and very strong-willed people.”. David Paterson stated, alluding to Cuomo’s political manoeuvres. In actuality, when they have authority, they are the most dangerous. Those who are familiar with him undoubtedly worry that he might act in that manner. “.
However, Paterson also thinks Cuomo can get past his personality conflicts.
“Like everyone else, he has some scars from scandal,” he said. “I believe he would face more pressure to embody the more compassionate and understanding Andrew Cuomo. “.
It’s too soon to make assumptions about the former governor’s intentions, according to Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi, who also stated that Adams “should have the opportunity to defend himself.”. However, he also cited Cuomo’s extensive record of holding public office.
“Gov. Politics and politicians have never been more important to Cuomo than New Yorkers. Because of this, he was able to override their resistance and secure marriage equality through the Roe v. Wade enshrined into state law, get the nation’s strongest gun laws and paid family leave implemented, and push through previously unfeasible projects like the second Avenue subway, the Moynihan train station, and the new LaGuardia and JFK airports,” he said.
Regarding the alliance that may arise in reaction to Cuomo’s possible candidacy, Azzopardi continued, saying, “This is all premature, but whoever is desperately spinning this about organized labor, forgetting the governor’s decades-long relationship with them and his record of delivering on issues like once-in-a-generation infrastructure projects, paid family leave, and a $15 minimum wage, doesn’t pass the smell test. “.
Cuomo is anticipated to heavily rely on his extensive experience in government if he decides to run. He held positions as governor for ten years, state attorney general, and housing secretary in Bill Clinton’s administration.
Along with wealthy real estate interests worried about the leftward shift in city politics, Cuomo could also count on the backing of influential Jewish leaders in New York City. In an attempt to appeal to both factions, he has positioned himself as a centrist substitute for politicians supported by socialists.
Nonetheless, a number of business executives highlight broken pledges, such as refusing to increase income taxes and signing a contentious bill that restricted cash bail and has since become divisive among Democrats.
In addition, union leaders publicly urged him to step down as scandal rocked his administration and expressed a desire to avoid thinking about running for mayor at this time.
One union official, who asked to remain anonymous so they could talk openly about the internal deliberations, stated, “I think labor wants to ignore that question as long as possible.”.
Few Democrats in New York have doubts about Cuomo’s capacity to lead. A Cuomo mayoralty would probably prioritize public safety for a city that has struggled with crime in the wake of the pandemic, despite being unpopular with progressives.
Cuomo, a Democrat and the son of a governor who has served in two state legislatures, has criticized the months-long effort by Democrats that resulted in his resignation in 2021. He made an effort to gain support from the opposition at the time, telling reporters that he was not a member of any political clubs.
He now appears to be different from the other mayoral contenders, according to some New York insiders.
Former assistant to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Mark Botnick, declared, “He’s definitely the master of politics.”. That said, considering how quickly everyone demanded his removal, he also owes no one anything. “.
