Cuomo Makes Independent Mayoral Bid Drawing Fire From Mamdani, Adams

India-West News Desk

NEW  YORK, NY – Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced July 14 he will continue his campaign for New York City mayor as an independent, just weeks after being soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo’s decision sparked sharp criticism from Mamdani’s camp and a strong rebuke from incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

Mamdani, who bested Cuomo by 12 points in the final round of ranked-choice voting, dismissed the former governor’s independent run as another attempt to align himself with the city’s wealthy power brokers. His campaign accused Cuomo of working closely with billionaire donors, contrasting that approach with Mamdani’s grassroots appeal to working-class New Yorkers.

In a video posted to social media, Cuomo cast the race as a direct contest between himself and Mamdani, omitting mention of Adams, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, or fellow independent Jim Walden. The footage featured Cuomo walking through the city and engaging with residents—imagery that Politico noted echoed Mamdani’s own viral campaign style.

Cuomo said he is staying in the race to deliver “real solutions,” positioning himself as a centrist alternative to Mamdani, whom he dismissed as offering empty rhetoric. He promised to campaign “on the streets,” pledging to focus on housing affordability, public safety, and accessible childcare.

Mamdani, meanwhile, appeared undeterred by Cuomo’s continued candidacy. He reiterated his primary victory as a signal that voters are seeking transformative leadership. His campaign emphasized that Mamdani received more votes than any other Democratic mayoral nominee in city primary history, attributing the win to his populist message and rejection of corporate influence.

Cuomo’s path forward remains uncertain. Politico reported that while internal polls show him in second place, the road to victory without major party backing will be steep in a city where Democratic support is often decisive.

Mayor Adams has shown no interest in unifying behind Cuomo. According to Politico, Adams met with donors who previously backed a super PAC aligned with the former governor but has been critical of Cuomo’s decision to stay in the race. In a recent interview with CNBC, Adams said Cuomo asked him to withdraw, a request he characterized as brazen and out of touch.

Adams himself did not participate in the Democratic primary, a move widely seen as a response to waning support following his new ties to President Donald Trump that got him out of corruption charges but has not been viewed favorably by voters.