This week, it was made official that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has decided on an independent bid after falling short of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary.

Throw in Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Jim Walden running independently and you’ve got a very crowded field.

Jack O’Donnell, managing partner of O’Donnell and Associates, joined Capital Tonight help make sense of the politics behind it including how it fits into traditional political wisdom, and how it could add fuel to the intensifying 2026 governor’s race.