Cuomo considers mayoral run amid Adams’ troubles, sources suggest

Supporters of former Governor Andrew Cuomo are hinting at a potential mayoral run, sources indicate, as the current administration under Mayor Eric Adams faces increasing scrutiny. According to an insider from the business community, the CEO of a notable investment banking firm has informed other corporate donors that Cuomo is gearing up for a New York City mayoral campaign next year.

Reports suggest that Cuomo’s representatives are actively promoting his potential candidacy. This push coincides with Adams’ declining popularity amid multiple federal corruption investigations, which recently led to the resignations of Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, a former federal prosecutor.

Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo’s former top aide, mentioned in a Forbes interview that she has received numerous calls urging Cuomo to run. She stated, “What people are saying is, ‘he’s got to run, he’s got to run.’” However, Steve Cohen, a longtime associate and former federal prosecutor, denied informing anyone about a Cuomo mayoral bid. Similarly, a source close to Bill Mulrow, a Blackstone executive and chairman of Cuomo’s 2018 re-election campaign, also refuted claims of spreading such news.

Despite his resignation in August 2021 over sexual misconduct allegations and a controversial book deal about the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are reportedly encouraging him to run. If Cuomo enters the race, he would join a growing field of Democratic candidates, including Queens state Senator Jessica Ramos, Brooklyn state Senator Zellnor Myrie, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and former Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Cuomo’s potential comeback mirrors other scandal-tainted politicians like ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer and ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, who both failed in their respective comeback attempts. Spitzer lost his bid for city comptroller in 2013, while Weiner finished fifth in the mayoral race the same year.

Cuomo faced criticism from a House panel over his decision to allow recovered COVID-19 patients back into nursing homes. He defended this decision. DeRosa mentioned that he still enjoys substantial support from New York City voters, despite the controversies that ended his administration. She noted that any decision to run for mayor would be made with his family.

Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi stated, “The governor previously said he has no plans to make plans and nothing has changed.” Cuomo’s father, Mario, ran for mayor in 1977 but lost narrowly to Ed Koch. According to previous reports, Cuomo has used remaining campaign funds for polling to assess a political comeback.