Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral dreams crashed spectacularly in New York City’s Democratic primary. The former governor, once a political heavyweight, lost to socialist Zohran Mamdani by a stinging 7-point margin on Tuesday. His campaign’s $25 million war chest couldn’t buy voter enthusiasm.
Cuomo’s defeat to Mamdani, a progressive Queens assemblyman, has left his donors fleeing and his independent run plans in tatters. Sources say he’s almost certainly abandoning his “Fight & Deliver” independent bid, as the New York Post reports. The general election, set for November, now looms without him.
Cuomo’s camp spent big but sparked little excitement among New Yorkers. “You can’t make something out of nothing,” a real estate source quipped, capturing the campaign’s flatline. His promise to run independently now looks like empty bravado.
Donors are jumping ship faster than rats from a sinking barge. Billionaire Bill Ackman, once a Cuomo ally, is now cozying up to Eric Adams, who’s running independently on an “End AntiSemitism” or “Safe and Affordable” ticket. Business leaders are holding meetings to pick sides.
“He got destroyed -- our best shot is Adams,” a prominent business leader declared. But Adams’ dismal polling has some real estate insiders skeptical. They’re not sold on Mamdani’s tax-the-rich schemes either.
Mamdani, meanwhile, is riding a wave of progressive momentum. His $10 billion freebie plan, funded by hiking taxes on businesses and billionaires, has unions and Democratic leaders buzzing. New York Rep. Jerry Nadler and Brooklyn’s Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn have already endorsed him.
Hermelyn’s X post urged Democrats to unite behind Mamdani, praising his “overwhelming victory.” “Let’s unite as Democrats for a brighter future,” she wrote, conveniently forgetting her prior Cuomo loyalty. Her flip-flop reeks of political opportunism.
Mamdani’s socialist agenda is giving business leaders heartburn. Two unions are weighing whether to back him or Adams, but Cuomo’s out of the picture. A union source predicted Mamdani would snag labor support that once propped up Cuomo.
“Cuomo reaped what he sowed,” Democratic Party operative Ken Frydman sneered. His words sting because they’re true -- Cuomo’s campaign was a masterclass in squandered potential. Voters rejected his recycled promises for Mamdani’s bold, if wallet-draining, vision.
Eric Adams’ independent run isn’t inspiring confidence either. “If Adams is still polling awful, there has to be a reckoning,” a business insider warned. His ballot line’s focus on safety and affordability sounds good, but numbers don’t lie.
Other independents, like lawyer Jim Walden and Republican Curtis Sliwa, are also in the mix. The November election is shaping up to be a chaotic brawl, with no clear frontrunner. New Yorkers are braced for a wild ride.
Cuomo’s hesitation speaks volumes. “I’m looking at the numbers from last night,” he said, dodging a firm commitment. His indecision is a death knell for any independent run.
The Board of Elections deadline to decline an independent ballot line is June 27. Sources close to Cuomo say he’s done, with one union leader noting, “The money wouldn’t be there even if he did want to do it.” His campaign’s collapse is complete.
Top Democrats like Gov. Kathy Hochul, Chuck Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries congratulated Mamdani but stopped short of endorsements. Their caution signals the tightrope they’re walking in a fractured party. Mamdani’s tax hikes could alienate moderates.
“It’s a wait and see,” a business insider said of Mamdani’s business-friendly credentials. His reluctance to rule out cooperation might keep some leaders in his corner. But New York’s future hangs on whether voters buy his progressive pitch over Adams’ pragmatism.
