Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is seriously considering a run for mayor of New York City, and despite not yet declaring his candidacy, he has already become a dominant figure in the race. With polls showing him far ahead of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo is facing attack ads, political scrutiny, and growing speculation about his next move.
Cuomo Leads in Polls, Adams Struggles Amid Scandals
A recent poll from Bold Decision shows Cuomo with 33% support, putting him 23 points ahead of Mayor Eric Adams, his closest competitor. Privately commissioned polls also suggest that Cuomo is the frontrunner, even though he has not officially entered the race.
Meanwhile, Adams’ political standing has weakened as he faces federal corruption charges and growing criticism over his attempts to build ties with President Donald Trump.
“When you look at some of the people that ran for office, they inherited empires,” Adams said in response to Cuomo’s poll numbers. “I didn’t.”
Attack Ads Target Cuomo Over Past Controversies
Despite his strong polling numbers, Cuomo is already facing negative campaign ads. A group called United for a Brighter Tomorrow recently launched an ad reminding voters of Cuomo’s past controversies.
“Hey Andrew, you must have thought we forgot about everything, huh?” the ad states. “I mean, you lied about the deaths of thousands of seniors.”
Cuomo’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes has been a major point of contention, with Republicans and critics accusing him of covering up nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Additionally, he resigned in August 2021 following a state attorney general report that substantiated multiple allegations of sexual harassment—claims Cuomo continues to deny.
Cuomo’s Post-Governorship Public Presence
Since resigning, Cuomo has maintained a high-profile presence, focusing on public appearances, a podcast, and issues like crime. He has visited predominantly Black churches, spoken against anti-Semitism, and framed himself as a “common-sense Democrat”—a position that closely aligns with Adams’.
During a speech at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, Cuomo emphasized crime as a major issue in the city.
“Crime is an ongoing problem. And it is seemingly everywhere today. People are afraid to take the subway.”
Could Cuomo Actually Run? What’s Next?
Cuomo has not officially announced a campaign, but he must decide by February 25, when the signature-gathering process for candidates begins.
His potential advantages include:
- Universal name recognition
- Millions in unspent campaign funds
- A weakened incumbent mayor facing legal troubles
- Recent legal victories, including one of his accusers dropping her lawsuit
However, his past scandals and continued scrutiny from both parties could make a comeback difficult.
Cuomo’s Team Responds
Cuomo’s spokesman Rich Azzopardi dismissed recent attack ads, calling them politically motivated.
“New Yorkers aren’t stupid, and this DSA-affiliated astroturf organization from Georgia is not going to tell them what to think,” Azzopardi said.
Meanwhile, former top aide Melissa DeRosa has fueled speculation about a Cuomo comeback.
“There are a lot of people reaching out to him. I think people feel the city is in crisis right now,” she said in an interview on NY1. “They miss having a grown-up who can get things done.”
As the New York City mayoral race heats up, Cuomo is dominating the conversation, even without officially entering the race. With Adams politically vulnerable, Cuomo could emerge as a serious contender if he decides to run.
However, his past scandals, ongoing scrutiny, and potential opposition from both parties could pose major challenges. Whether he announces his candidacy or not, Cuomo has already shaken up the race—and will remain a key figure in New York politics.
