As a crowded field of candidates lines up to challenge Mayor Eric Adams, we’re breaking down key information about the contenders before you cast your vote this year.
Name: Andrew Cuomo
Age: 67
Party: Registered Democrat but running on the independent “Fight and Deliver” Party line
Race: New York City mayor
Background: Andrew Cuomo served as New York state’s governor from 2011 until his resignation in August 2021. He stepped down after New York state Attorney General Letitia James released a report that found he had sexually harassed multiple women during his time in office, including state employees, “by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments.”
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing and claims James’ probe was politically motivated.
During his time as governor, several significant infrastructure projects were completed, including portions of the Second Avenue subway and Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, as well as the reconstruction of La Guardia Airport.
He also pushed the legalization of gay marriage and recreational marijuana while boosting the minimum wage. The gun control “Safe Act” was pushed by the legislature after his urging.
In the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo gained popularity for his daily COVID briefings, even receiving an International Emmy Award before it was rescinded following the release of the attorney general report.
But Cuomo also earned criticism for his policies during the pandemic, facing accusations that his administration covered up the number of COVID-related nursing home deaths in the state, although the former governor has repeatedly said he followed federal COVID guidelines.
Cuomo is the son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. He served as New York attorney general for four years prior to being elected governor and served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during President Bill Clinton’s second term.
Cuomo ran in the Democratic primary for mayor and was widely seen as the favorite, but he came in second to Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. He had applied to run on the independent “Fight and Deliver” line before the Democratic primary, and about two weeks after his primary defeat, he relaunched his campaign as an independentcandidate on that line.
Policy proposals include:
- Guarantee universal 3-K for all families
- Increase the size of the NYPD, and increase presence of NYPD and MTA officers in subways and subway stations
- Speed up the construction of affordable and workforce housing
More of Andrew Cuomo’s platform can be found on his campaign website.
Interviews:
Cuomo: ‘I did not run a good campaign’
Cuomo focuses on Trump, not rivals, in exclusive NY1 interview
Cuomo discusses ICE on Rikers, Hochul and Trump in exclusive NY1 interview
Here is Cuomo’s X profile.
Here is Cuomo’s campaign website.