Andrew Cuomo Has Early Lead in NYC Mayoral Race

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appears to have an early lead in the NYC mayoral race despite the harassment allegations that led to his 2021 resignation.

Key Takeaways

Andrew Cuomo leads NYC mayoral polls, with one recent survey putting him at 31% support among registered Democrats, while Mayor Eric Adams trailed at just 11%
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 amid harassment allegations, which he continues to deny.
Adams’ approval rating has plummeted to 20%, the lowest for any NYC mayor in three decades
Despite controversies, Cuomo maintains a 48%-41% favorable rating among NYC voters, with particularly strong support from Black voters.
A Democratic primary using ranked-choice voting is scheduled for June 24.

Controversial Comeback Campaign

Andrew Cuomo, the former three-term New York governor who left office in disgrace amid harassment allegations in 2021, has emerged as the frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University showed Cuomo commanding 31% support among registered Democrats, while incumbent Mayor Eric Adams had just 11%. Meanwhile, two other polls from February suggested he was the favorite potential candidate at the time among about a third of Democratic voters.

Cuomo’s campaign, which he launched on March 1, focuses on addressing what he characterizes as a city in crisis, emphasizing his experience handling emergencies and his reputation for decisive leadership during his gubernatorial tenure.

Cuomo has been methodically laying groundwork for his political resurrection, hiring a PR firm and securing endorsements from notable figures and unions. A super PAC called “Fix the City” has registered to support his campaign with significant fundraising efforts. Despite the serious allegations that led to his resignation, Cuomo has maintained his innocence regarding the harassment claims and even sued an accuser for defamation.

Adams’ Administration Under Fire

Mayor Eric Adams faces a challenging re-election environment. His administration is besieged by federal investigations and corruption allegations that have dominated headlines. Adams’ approval rating has plummeted to 20%, the lowest for any New York City mayor in three decades. The mayor has dismissed polls favoring Cuomo, comparing the situation to Andrew Yang’s early lead in the previous election before Adams ultimately prevailed.

Political analysts suggest Adams’ troubles extend beyond local issues. “This story has become bigger than just New York City because it now involves the Trump administration, and all of that is weighing on the mayor’s standing among voters,” explained Mary Snow of the Quinnipiac University Poll. The convergence of these factors has created an opening for Cuomo’s political resurrection that seemed implausible just months ago.

Voter Sentiment Divided

Despite the serious allegations that ended his governorship, many New Yorkers appear willing to give Cuomo another chance. His favorable rating stands at 48%-41% among city voters, with particularly strong support from Black voters at 57%-29%. Some voters emphasize his accomplishments over his personal controversies, citing his infrastructure projects and crisis management skills during his three terms as governor.

Others believe the city’s challenges require experienced leadership regardless of past controversies. Mitchell Moss, a professor of urban policy at New York University, observed: “The judging of the mayor is going to be determined not on incidents in their past but who we feel has got the best chance of leading the city when things that are not predictable happen.” Cuomo is positioning himself as a law-and-order moderate who can tackle the city’s crime, homelessness, and economic challenges.

Campaign Strategy and Challenges

“We have had times when we are at our shining best, and there are times when we struggle and endure great hardship. But we also know we can handle a crisis because we have,” Cuomo declared in his campaign announcement, invoking his experience managing emergencies as governor. He has characterized the city as “threatening, out of control and in crisis,” positioning himself as the remedy.

Rivals in the crowded Democratic field are focusing on Cuomo’s controversies, including the harassment allegations and his handling of nursing home deaths during the 2020 health emergency. The Democratic primary scheduled for June 24 will use a ranked-choice voting system, potentially complicating Cuomo’s path to victory despite his early lead. His political comeback attempt represents a high-stakes gamble that New Yorkers are willing to overlook his controversial exit from the governor’s office in favor of his executive experience.