Cuomo Reportedly Will Drop Out of NYC Mayoral Race After Crushing Primary Defeat

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to withdraw from the New York City mayoral race, sources close to his campaign have informed The New York Post, following his decisive defeat in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The stunning upset by antisemitic socialist Zohran Mamdani has prompted a rapid reassessment among Cuomo’s former allies, with many now considering shifting their support in the upcoming general election.

With over 94% of votes counted, Mamdani secured 43.5% of the initial vote, compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%. This considerable gap, even before ranked-choice voting tabulations are finalized, has convinced many that an independent run by Cuomo would be untenable. A prominent union leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Post “The understanding is he’s not running, every indication is that he doesn’t want to do it and the money wouldn’t be there even if he did want to do it.”

Despite these reports, Cuomo maintained a cautious public stance on Wednesday, telling The Post that he was still evaluating the full ranked-choice voting numbers before making a definitive decision. “I’m looking at the numbers from last night. I want to get an idea of what the general election looks like and what landscape looks like, and what the issues are, and then make the decision,” he said.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old New York State Assemblyman representing Astoria, Queens, rode a wave of progressive enthusiasm to victory. His campaign, which emphasized affordability with proposals for free childcare, free buses, and a rent freeze funded by higher taxes on businesses and billionaires, particularly resonated with younger voters and in boroughs like Brooklyn.

A Shia Muslim, Mamdani has also refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist on multiple occasions and has justified the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Shortly before the election, he stated, after taking a pause, that Israel has a right to exist when grilled by a late night television show host, but only after one of his opponents, Brad Lander, affirmed that right.

The prospect of Cuomo’s withdrawal has triggered urgent discussions among the city’s business and labor leaders regarding their strategy for November.

Mamdani will face current Mayor Eric Adams, who is campaigning on an independent line. Adams, who announced his independent candidacy after federal corruption charges against him were dismissed, aims to position himself as a moderate option.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a former Cuomo backer, is reportedly preparing to support Adams, hoping to consolidate a broad coalition against Mamdani.

Democratic Party leaders, including Congressman Jerry Nadler and Brooklyn Democratic Party head Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, have already begun to signal their intent to rally behind Mamdani. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer congratulated and praised Mamdani, too.