Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is officially running for New York City mayor in 2025.
The Democratic politician and lawyer, 66, announced his bid to unseat current N.Y.C. Mayor Eric Adams, who currently faces federal criminal charges, in a post shared on X on Saturday, March 1.
“Our city is in crisis. That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City,” Cuomo wrote alongside a 17-minute video, in which he explained his decision to run. “We need government to work. We need effective leadership.”
The politician previously served as the 56th governor of New York from 2011 to 2021, before resigning in August 2021 after an investigatory report was released that alleged he “sexually harassed multiple women.”
Cuomo appeared to allude to his resignation in his recent video, saying: “Did I always do everything right in my years of public service? Of course not. Would I do some things differently knowing what I know now? Certainly. Did I make mistakes? Some painfully. Definitely.”
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“And I believe I learned from them, and that I am a better person for it, and I hope to show you that every day,” he continued. “But I promise you this, I know what needs to be done, and I know how to do it. And I will give it my all to get the job done. And it will get done.”
Elsewhere in the video, Cuomo discussed numerous issues that he wants to tackle, including targeting New York City’s “crime problem” by bolstering law enforcement and creating more “jobs” and “affordable units” in the city.
He also said that he wanted to work with President Donald Trump to “make the city better” and that he would fight for a “fair share of funding” in Washington, D.C.
“It won’t be easy, but I know we can turn this city around. And I believe I can help, and that is why I announced my candidacy today for mayor of New York City. I am a lifelong New Yorker, and I love New York, and I want New York to not only survive, but for New York to thrive for my children and for yours,” Cuomo concluded the video.
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Cuomo’s announcement comes after months of speculation that he was looking to revive his political career, though an October Marist poll found that 55% of New York adults — and 52% of Democratic residents — were not in favor of Cuomo entering the race.
The politician resigned from his governor role after a report by New York Attorney General Letitia James claimed he “sexually harassed multiple women” and therefore “violated federal and state law.” At the time of the sexual harassment claims, his standing as governor was already on shaky terms due to a previous report from James that estimated his administration undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths by as much as 50%.
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“New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York and I love you. And everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love,” Cuomo said at the time of his resignation. “I would never want to be unhelpful in any way. And I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing.”
Cuomo is not alone in challenging Mayor Adams for the Democratic nomination. Numerous state and city lawmakers have thrown their hat into the ring, and Attorney General James — who first triggered his unraveling — has also expressed interest.
The unusually packed Democratic primary, when the incumbent mayor is seeking reelection, comes in response to polling that showed a majority of New York City voters wanting the embattled Adams to resign before his first term ends.
In September 2024, Adams was indicted on the federal charge of conspiring to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery and receiving campaign contributions by foreign nationals, as well as one count of bribery, one count of wire fraud and two counts of soliciting a contribution by a foreign national.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment — the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment — is a grave breach of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said of the charges at the time.
Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges and has insisted that he has no plans to step down.
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