Cuomo to remain in NYC mayoral race as independent after primary loss
Former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has made a surprising announcement that he will not be dropping out of the race for New York City mayor. Despite resigning from office in 2021 amid scandal, Cuomo has decided to move forward and run as an independent candidate in the general election.
This decision comes after progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic Party mayoral primary, beating out Cuomo and the rest of the 11-candidate field. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist state assemblyman from Queens, captured 43.5% of the primary vote, with Cuomo trailing at 36.4%.
While Mamdani’s victory was unexpected, Cuomo has chosen to continue running as an independent candidate in the general election. He has already secured a place on the “Fight & Deliver” ballot line and has until the end of the day Friday to decline the independent ballot line.
Cuomo’s decision to continue running as an independent candidate comes as a surprise to many, especially given Mamdani’s strong showing in the primary. With endorsements from progressive leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mamdani was able to rally support from younger and first-time voters, propelling him to victory.
Despite the uphill battle he faces, Cuomo remains optimistic about his chances in the general election. He has acknowledged Mamdani’s victory in the primary and has committed to analyzing the rank choice voting results before deciding on his next steps.
While Mamdani’s win in the primary was a significant upset, the general election presents a new challenge for both candidates. With the possibility of ranked-choice tabulations and a broader pool of voters, the race for New York City mayor is far from over.
As the campaign heats up heading into the summer and fall, both Cuomo and Mamdani will need to work hard to secure the support of New York City voters. With a diverse field of candidates and a city facing numerous challenges, the race for mayor promises to be an exciting and closely watched contest.
