Adams and Cuomo Clash Intensifies as Battle to Unseat Mamdani Heats Up

New York City's mayoral race is entering a dramatic new phase as incumbent Eric Adams and former governor Andrew Cuomo, both running as independents, attempt to push each other out of the race to improve their chances against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

With November's general election shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, the rivalry between Adams and Cuomo is escalating — and both are making it clear that they believe the other is standing in the way of victory.

Adams Urges Cuomo to Step Aside

In a candid appearance on CNBC, Mayor Eric Adams called Cuomo “the number one obstacle” to his reelection campaign and urged the former governor to exit the race.

“I think he really should do an analysis and say: Give Eric an opportunity to run against Zohran,” Adams said, referencing Cuomo's loss in the primary by 12 points and his campaign's massive financial backing, including nearly $30 million in super PAC support.

Adams revealed that Cuomo had previously called him with a similar request — to drop out himself. The mayor responded with visible frustration.

“I’m the sitting mayor of the City of New York, and you expect for me to step aside when you just lost to Zohran by double digits?” Adams asked. He also accused Cuomo of displaying "the highest level of arrogance," pointing to a pattern of undermining Black political leaders such as David Paterson, H. Carl McCall, and Charlie King — although all three have supported Cuomo's current mayoral bid in various ways.

Crowded Field Threatens Unified Opposition

Alongside Adams and Cuomo, independent candidate Jim Walden and Republican Curtis Sliwa are also running, making this a rare four-way contest. Last week, Walden proposed conducting an independent survey to determine which candidate had the best shot at defeating Mamdani — with the suggestion that the others should then rally behind that person.

However, it's too late for any candidate to formally withdraw from the ballot. Still, Walden hopes that consensus support could consolidate the non-Mamdani vote, which is currently at risk of being split into ineffective fragments.

Cuomo’s team appeared to acknowledge this reality. His spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, conceded that “on their current trajectories,” moderate and Republican candidates are set to divide the vote.

“This is the time to put aside the usual political selfishness and agree to do what is truly best for all New Yorkers,” Azzopardi said, indicating that Cuomo is considering Walden’s proposal and calling on others to do the same.

Paterson Calls for Unity Without Naming Names

Adding to the growing chorus, former Governor David Paterson also called for a united front at a midtown press conference, urging candidates to come together behind a single independent contender.

“We can do this, but it’s going to take a united effort, and it’s going to take some sacrifice that someone is going to have to make,” Paterson said. However, he stopped short of suggesting who should bow out or how that consensus should be reached.

Business Leaders on Edge as Mamdani Surges

Mamdani’s unexpected victory in the Democratic primary has rattled business and real estate leaders across the city. A proud democratic socialist, Mamdani has promised sweeping reforms — alarming the city’s traditional power brokers.

Despite this, his campaign has proven adept at building coalitions across demographic lines. While initially appealing to progressive enclaves, Mamdani also made inroads into moderate Latino and South Asian communities in Queens and managed to capture a large swath of young voters energized by his platform.

Adams and Cuomo Struggle for the Same Voter Base

Polls suggest Cuomo would outperform Adams in a general election matchup, even when surveys lean in favor of the incumbent. This dynamic is fueling internal debates among moderates and could push Cuomo further toward supporting Walden's unity proposal.

Yet, Adams shows no signs of stepping down. On Monday, he shifted his focus back to Mamdani, accusing him of selling “unrealistic plans” and energizing voters who felt disenfranchised after Donald Trump’s presidency.

Still, Adams expressed confidence in his strategy, declaring plans to mobilize a million new voters who, after Mamdani’s primary win, began paying closer attention to the election.

“We’re going to mobilize a million new voters who woke up on the day after the election, on the 25th, and said: Oh my god, let’s listen to what [Mamdani] is saying,” Adams said.

As the race barrels toward November, the fractured opposition remains the greatest gift to Mamdani’s campaign — unless Adams, Cuomo, Walden, and Sliwa can find a way to forge common ground.