New York City Mayor Eric Adams unleashed criticism on Sunday against Andrew Cuomo’s decision to run for mayor as an independent, warning that the move is “wasting time and dividing voters” while inadvertently helping socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Speaking at the Bolivian Day Parade in Queens, Adams, who himself is running as an independent, blasted Cuomo’s refusal to bow out, framing it as a self-serving distraction. He pointed out that Mamdani already defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary, a race Adams had skipped by running outside the party system.
“I didn’t lose in the primary,” Adams emphasized, referencing Mamdani’s unexpected victory over Cuomo last month.
“We’re moving straight ahead. It’s so important that we continue to move ahead,” the mayor added, brushing aside any suggestion of reconsidering his candidacy.
When asked directly whether he’d make room for Cuomo by stepping aside, Adams responded with disbelief: “Are you kidding me?”
His campaign later issued a sharply worded statement condemning Cuomo’s political maneuvering.
“This kind of political double-dealing is exactly why so many New Yorkers have lost trust in [Cuomo],” the statement read. “The people spoke loudly — he lost. Yet, he continues to put himself over the number one goal — beating Mamdani and securing our city’s future.
“Now, in the face of a serious threat, an inexperienced opponent, Cuomo is wasting time and dividing voters. He failed them — and he’s failing New Yorkers now.”
Adams, who did not compete in the Democratic primary, argues that Cuomo’s continued presence in the general election would only fracture the anti-Mamdani vote, creating an easier path for the assemblyman from Queens to win.
Recent numbers from a Slingshot Strategies poll show Mamdani in the lead with 35% support. Cuomo trails behind with 25%, followed by Republican Curtis Sliwa with 14%, and Adams at 11%.
Cuomo’s spokesman Rich Azzopardi defended the independent campaign, claiming the former governor still represents the best shot at defeating Mamdani.
Despite his independent run, Cuomo is reportedly seeking a pledge from every non-Mamdani candidate — including himself — to withdraw from the race in September if they’re not in first place in the polls.
That proposal didn’t sit well with Curtis Sliwa, who criticized both Cuomo and Adams while emphasizing his position as the sole major-party contender left in the race.
“Andrew Cuomo lost his primary and hides in the Hamptons,” said Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels. “Eric Adams skipped his and fled to Fort Lauderdale. Now, they’re both running as independents to cling to relevance.”
Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor and another candidate in the mayoral race, said Cuomo’s call for unity was borrowed from his own earlier idea.
“I am glad Andrew has agreed to adopt my pledge,” Walden said. “I hope Eric and Curtis sign on as well. Putting New York’s best interest over our personal ambitions is critical at this moment.”
{Matzav.com}