Eric Adams Criticizes Cuomo’s Independent Mayoral Bid
Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday condemned Andrew Cuomo’s decision to enter the mayoral race as an independent, arguing that it merely “wastes time and divides voters,” potentially bolstering socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Speaking during the Bolivian Day Parade in Queens, Adams, who is also seeking re-election as an independent, expressed that Cuomo’s ego-driven approach is doing more harm than benefit. He highlighted that the former governor had already suffered defeat by Mamdani, who previously outperformed him in the Democratic primary.
“I didn’t lose the primary,” Adams remarked, referring to Mamdani’s surprising victory over Cuomo in last month’s Democratic contest.
Adams emphasized the need to keep progress moving forward. “We’re pushing straight ahead. It’s essential we continue on this path,” he stated.
When questioned about potentially stepping aside for Cuomo, the mayor responded emphatically, “Are you kidding me?”
Adams later reinforced his stance in an incisive press release from his team, criticizing Cuomo’s actions. “This kind of political maneuvering is the reason many New Yorkers have lost faith in [Cuomo],” the statement read. “The electorate voiced their decision — he lost. Yet he continues to prioritize himself over the vital need to defeat Mamdani and secure our city’s future.”
The release went on to state, “Faced with a serious challenge from an inexperienced rival, Cuomo is wasting valuable time and fracturing the electorate. He has failed the people — and now he is failing New Yorkers again.”
As an independent, Adams did not participate in the primary and argues that Cuomo’s potential return to the race would only siphon votes away from him in the general election, enabling Mamdani to easily win.
According to a poll from Slingshot Strategies, Mamdani, a state assembly member from Queens, leads the race with 35% support, followed by Cuomo at 25%, Republican Curtis Sliwa at 14%, and Adams at 11%.
Cuomo’s spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, contended that the former governor remains the strongest candidate to challenge Mamdani.
Although Cuomo is aiming to enter the race as an independent, he is reportedly planning to request that all other candidates, aside from Mamdani, agree to withdraw in September if they are not leading.
Sliwa criticized this position and also took aim at Adams, asserting he is the only authentic major party candidate.
“Andrew Cuomo lost his primary and is hiding in the Hamptons,” the Guardian Angels founder stated. “Eric Adams skipped his primary and fled to Fort Lauderdale. Now they’re both running as independents to maintain relevance.”
Former federal prosecutor Jim Walden, who is also vying for the mayoral position, remarked that Cuomo’s call for a unified agreement to step aside for the greater good sounds familiar.
“I’m pleased that Andrew has embraced my pledge,” Walden declared. “I hope Eric and Curtis can join in as well. It’s crucial to place New York’s interests above our personal ambitions at this time.”
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