Bill Clinton endorses Andrew Cuomo in tight NYC mayoral Democratic primary

Former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has received another high-profile endorsement in his bid for mayor of New York City. This time, it comes from former President Bill Clinton, who served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Clinton’s administration.

In a statement released on Sunday, Clinton praised Cuomo for his work in expanding public housing across the country during his time as HUD secretary. The endorsement comes at a crucial time for Cuomo, as his once-significant lead in the Democratic primary has started to shrink.

One of his main challengers is Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist state assemblyman from Queens. Mamdani has gained momentum in recent months and has narrowed the gap with Cuomo in the polls. With endorsements from progressive leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mamdani is aiming to consolidate support from progressive voters.

In a distant third place is New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who made headlines last week after being arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents for allegedly assaulting a federal officer. Cuomo’s campaign has been quick to question Mamdani’s experience, highlighting his age and legislative record.

However, Clinton emphasized Cuomo’s experience and qualifications in his endorsement, stating that New York City needs a mayor who can address the city’s major challenges such as affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety.

Cuomo has also received endorsements from former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, further solidifying his position as a frontrunner in the race. Despite facing multiple scandals during his time as governor, including sexual harassment allegations and a criminal investigation into his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo is determined to make a political comeback.

The Democratic primary is set to take place on Tuesday, with early voting already underway. The winner of the primary is expected to be the favorite in the November general election, although this year’s race has added complexity with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams running for re-election as an independent candidate.

Adams, a moderate Democrat, dropped out of the Democratic primary amid sinking approval ratings and an indictment on bribery and fraud charges. With an unpredictable general election ahead, the race for mayor of New York City promises to be a closely watched and highly contested battle.