Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo is poised to announce an independent bid for New York City mayor, reigniting a high-stakes race already shaped by political upsets, shifting allegiances, and deep divides over the city\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Sources told NewsNation that Cuomo<\/a> will officially launch his independent campaign in the coming days, despite recent polls suggesting an uphill battle.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019ll be an official announcement soon,\u201d Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi confirmed to The New York Post on Sunday. He also claimed Cuomo is currently the \u201cleading alternative\u201d to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cuomo\u2019s big ask<\/p>\n But Cuomo\u2019s return comes with a twist.<\/p>\n A source close to the former governor told NewsNation that he will issue a public challenge to all remaining candidates \u2014 including Mayor Eric Adams \u2014 urging them to agree to drop out by mid-September if they are not leading in the polls.<\/p>\n The pact would exclude Mamdani<\/a>, a democratic socialist and Queens Assembly member, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary.<\/p>\n Adams dismisses Cuomo\u2019s move: \u201cAre you kidding me?\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent after withdrawing from the Democratic primary in April, was visibly annoyed by Cuomo\u2019s strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re moving straight ahead. It\u2019s so important that we continue to move ahead,\u201d Adams told reporters Sunday.<\/p>\n When asked if he would consider stepping aside for Cuomo, Adams responded bluntly: \u201cAre you kidding me? I didn\u2019t lose in the primary.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Adams wasn’t a primary candidate due to his independent status, he has emphasised that the low turnout in the Democratic contest does not reflect broad public support for Mamdani<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cuomo vs Adams: Independent showdown in November<\/p>\n With both Cuomo and Adams now running as independents, the November 4 general election is shaping up to be a fierce three-way race between two former Democratic heavyweights and Mamdani<\/a>, who has built a grassroots coalition on promises to freeze rents and tax the wealthy.<\/p>\n