Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be the city’s next mayor on Tuesday.
Bloomberg served as the city’s mayor from 2002 to 2013, which overlapped with Cuomo’s term as governor for about three years. The two often butted heads on policy.
Nevertheless, Bloomberg said he believes Cuomo is the best Democrat in the city’s mayoral race this year. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is also running.
“I care deeply about the future of our city, and since leaving office, it has been difficult to watch its struggles, especially since the pandemic. In sizing up the field in the race for mayor, there is one candidate whose management experience and government know-how stand above the others: Andrew Cuomo,” Bloomberg said in a joint statement with Cuomo shared with the Washington Examiner.
Bloomberg acknowledged his differences with Cuomo, but cited the former governor’s accomplishments, including “the redevelopment of La Guardia Airport, the opening of the 2nd Avenue Subway, and creation of Moynihan Station” as evidence of his competence.
“The question before New Yorkers is not: Who is the perfect choice? No mayor is perfect. The question is: Who is the best choice? To me, that choice is clear: Andrew Cuomo,” Bloomberg said.
Cuomo said he felt “deeply honored” to be endorsed by Bloomberg.
“After 9/11, when New York City was in crisis, torn apart and broken, under Mike Bloomberg’s leadership, our city was rebuilt — both our buildings and our soul … I appreciate Mayor Bloomberg’s support and faith in my vision for a stronger, safer, more affordable New York City for all,” Cuomo said.
Politico reported that Bloomberg despises the left flank of his party and likely got involved because of Mamdani’s rise.
Cuomo is the front-runner in the city’s mayoral race, ahead of Mamdani, Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Mamdani’s campaign used the endorsement against Cuomo, saying, “The billionaires are consolidating around Andrew Cuomo because they know he will preserve the broken status quo,” they said. “New Yorkers are rallying behind Zohran Mamdani because they are ready for a new generation of leadership that puts working people first. On June 24, we will shock the political establishment and win a city we can all actually afford.”
The Cuomo and Mamdani campaigns touted respective polls on Monday showing Cuomo with a 12- and 2-point lead, respectively. Cuomo’s team questioned the effectiveness of the Mamdani campaign’s poll, which showed a race closer than ever.
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New York-based Democratic strategist Max Burns told the Washington Examiner that he doesn’t expect the endorsement to move the needle much for Cuomo.
“It adds to Cuomo’s marketing of inevitability, even as polls continue to tighten. But as far as flipping voters? Nil,” he said.