Report: Cuomo to Run as Independent After Losing Primary to Mamdani

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo intends to remain in the city’s mayoral race as an independent candidate, despite being defeated in this week’s Democratic primary by anti Israel and intifada engraving challenger Zohran Mamdani, according to multiple reports.

Reports revealed that Cuomo, 67, has no plans to exit the race. This comes after he conceded defeat to Mamdani, a democratic socialist who refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.

Cuomo is now expected to appear on the ballot under the “Fight and Deliver” party line. However, it remains unclear whether he will actively campaign during the remainder of the race.

The former governor, who resigned in 2021 amid allegations of workplace harassment and bullying, now finds himself alongside Mayor Eric Adams—also a Democrat—who is pursuing re-election as an independent following a similarly difficult primary challenge.

Cuomo’s stunning fall in Tuesday night’s vote came after a dramatic shift in momentum. Once holding a 20-point lead, he was overtaken by Mamdani by seven points as energized younger voters, mobilized by the progressive’s organized campaign, turned out in unusually high numbers for a mayoral primary.

“I think that the Democratic party must always remember what made so many proud to be Democrats, which is a focus on the struggles of working-class Americans across this country,” he added.

But not everyone in the financial world is reassured. “It’s officially hot commie summer,” hedge fund billionaire Dan Loeb posted on X in response to Mamdani’s primary victory.

Though Cuomo is expected to run, he has until the end of Friday to formally withdraw his name from the independent ballot, per the New York State Board of Elections schedule.

Speaking with CNN on Thursday, Mamdani dismissed concerns about Cuomo staying in the race, saying, “not at all,” and noting that their previous matchup “turned out pretty well.”

Meanwhile, Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee called for Mamdani’s denaturalization and deportation. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, became a U.S. citizen around six years ago.

“Zohran ‘little muhammad’ Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,” Ogles wrote on X. “He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.”

Ogles included in his post a letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, citing federal laws regarding revocation of citizenship based on concealment of ties to terrorism.

He referenced a New York Post article alleging that Mamdani had previously expressed support for individuals convicted of terrorism offenses prior to becoming a U.S. citizen.