Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 1 launched an effort to make a political comeback by announcing his run for New York City mayor. It had been widely anticipated that Cuomo would make such a move and there had been speculation that his announcement would come Sunday, March 2. In polling, Cuomo leads the pack of candidates who have announced their runs in opposition to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Cuomo made his announcement in a 17-minute video that was posted to YouTube and a Cuomo for Mayor website. The video ran 17 minutes and recapped the issues outlined on the website that Cuomo plans to use as the platform for his campaign.
“We know that today our New York City is in trouble,” Cuomo said in the video. “You see it in the empty store fronts, the graffiti, the grime, the migrant influx, the random violence. The city just feels threatening, out of control and in crisis.”
On the issue of affordability, Cuomo promises to increase the supply of affordable housing, expand access to affordable health care, make transportation more affordable, provide targeted tax relief to lower income and middle-class voters, including homeowners, and improve incomes through job creation, workforce training, worker protections, and via tax cutting measures.
Cuomo promised to combat antisemitism, allow for more outdoor dining in the city, strengthen community schools and reduce school class size. He did not present a position on the Congestion Pricing tolls imposed on vehicles entering the Manhattan Central Business District.
Cuomo resigned from the governor’s office in 2021 while a sexual harassment scandal swirled around him. Eleven women had accused him of sexual misconduct.
