Cuomo Plans Independent NYC Mayoral Run After Primary Loss

Andrew Cuomo, after losing the Democratic primary for New York City mayor to 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani by over 12 percentage points, is launching an independent bid under the “Fight and Deliver” party. Cuomo admitted mistakes in his primary strategy, particularly underestimating Mamdani's grassroots support and failing to aggressively challenge his proposals. He aims to build a broader coalition of independents, disillusioned Democrats, and institutional allies to block Mamdani's path to Gracie Mansion, focusing on moderate and business-minded voters wary of Mamdani’s progressive platform. Despite Cuomo’s name recognition and previous endorsements, his campaign faltered due to a lack of engagement and a coordinated 'Don’t Rank Cuomo' effort during ranked-choice voting, which will not be used in the general election. The race now features a fragmented field including Mamdani, Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams (also running as an independent), Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Jim Walden, creating a complex contest for the mayor's office. Cuomo has vowed to intensify his campaign efforts by meeting voters directly and addressing the mistakes of his primary run.