Andrew Cuomo announced his bid for New York City mayor on Saturday, three years after resigning as governor amid sexual harassment allegations. Cuomo, 67, denies the claims and joins a crowded Democratic primary race against Mayor Eric Adams, who faces corruption charges.
In a video statement, Cuomo emphasized his leadership experience, calling for bold action to combat crime, mental illness, and housing shortages. He pledged to increase police presence and build affordable homes.
Adams, 64, seeks a second term despite facing pressure from senior Democrats to resign. Indicted on corruption charges last year, he has pleaded not guilty and controversially sought support from former President Donald Trump.
Cuomo’s political career began in the 1980s, assisting his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo. He later served as U.S. housing secretary under President Bill Clinton and as New York attorney general before being elected governor in 2010. As governor, Cuomo championed same-sex marriage, legalized recreational marijuana, and oversaw major infrastructure projects like the revamp of LaGuardia Airport.
His early pandemic response, marked by daily briefings, gained national attention, but an audit later revealed his administration underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. Cuomo also faced scrutiny for using state resources to write a $5.1 million book on his leadership during the crisis, leading to ongoing litigation.
In August 2021, he resigned after an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James concluded he had sexually harassed 11 women. Cuomo maintains he did nothing wrong but apologized if his behavior made anyone uncomfortable.
Now, with Adams politically weakened, Cuomo seeks a comeback, positioning himself as a strong alternative in the upcoming June Democratic primary.