Andrew Cuomo Declares Independent Run for New York City Mayor After Primary Loss to Zohran Mamdani

Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, has announced he will run as an independent candidate in the upcoming New York City mayoral race, following a decisive defeat in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo made the announcement on Monday, July 15, positioning himself as a centrist alternative in a race increasingly defined by ideological divides.

Once considered a frontrunner, Cuomo lost the Democratic primary by more than 12 points to Mamdani, a progressive member of the New York State Assembly. Despite early expectations, the former governor failed to galvanize sufficient voter turnout, with insiders citing a weak get-out-the-vote effort as a critical misstep in his campaign strategy.

Cuomo, who stepped down as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, now faces a crowded and unconventional mayoral race. Among his competitors are Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and current mayor Eric Adams, who also opted to run as an independent after facing a federal indictment earlier this year.

In announcing his candidacy, Cuomo expressed regret for disappointing supporters in the primary. “I am truly sorry that I let you down,” he said, before vowing to re-enter the race with renewed determination. Quoting his grandfather, Cuomo added: “When you get knocked down, learn the lesson and pick yourself back up and get in the game.”

Although he avoided directly naming his Democratic opponent, Mamdani, Cuomo made clear that his campaign would focus on experience and steady leadership—an implicit contrast to Mamdani’s boldly progressive platform. Mamdani’s proposals include universal childcare, housing reform, and a shift in city policy on foreign affairs, including a more outspoken position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—stances that have divided voters and drawn criticism from some business leaders and centrist politicians.

In response to Cuomo’s announcement, Mamdani issued a sharp statement online: “While Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams trip over each other to win the approval of billionaires in backrooms, our campaign remains focused on working New Yorkers and their clear desire for a different kind of politics.”

A recent poll conducted by Slingshot Strategies earlier this month found Mamdani leading with 35% support among registered voters, followed by Cuomo at 25%, with Sliwa and Adams trailing behind. Political analysts suggest the presence of multiple independent and third-party candidates could split the moderate and conservative vote, potentially boosting Mamdani’s path to victory.

This upcoming election reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party and among New York voters—between establishment figures like Cuomo and Adams and a growing wave of progressive voices demanding transformative change. With the general election approaching, the race is expected to intensify as each candidate works to consolidate support in a politically fractured landscape.