Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), a prominent black leader in the Democratic Party, endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic Primary for mayor.
Clyburn’s influence in the party helped former President Joe Biden in his 2020 presidential campaign by endorsing him in a crowded primary field. Cuomo hopes Clyburn can do the same for him.
“The mayor of New York is uniquely positioned to play an important role in the future of the National Democratic Party,” Clyburn said in a statement shared with the Washington Examiner.
“Our party faces significant challenges dealing with the Trump administration that seems to be challenging the pillars of our democracy. The mayor of New York will need to meet that challenge and defend the city’s autonomy,” he continued.
Cuomo’s strength with black voters in the city will likely only grow stronger with Clyburn’s endorsement as socialist and fellow candidate Zohran Mamdani tries to cut into the former governor’s voter coalition.
Clyburn thinks Cuomo can also “help save the nation.”
“Andrew Cuomo has the experience, credentials, and character to not just serve New York, but also help save the nation. He has my wholehearted support, and I urge my fellow Democrats to vote for him and do so enthusiastically,” Clyburn concluded.
Cuomo praised Clyburn for “always” being on the “right side of history.”
“I am honored and humbled to have Jim Clyburn’s support, a man who has spent a lifetime prioritizing making headway over headlines, of actions over words and results over performative politics,” Cuomo said in a statement shared with the Washington Examiner.
Cuomo’s campaign has commissioned Clyburn’s help in a robocall recorded by the congressman to primary voters. In the call, Clyburn touts Cuomo’s record and his ability to fight against Trump and asks voters to cast their ballot for Cuomo. He also mentions the blistering heat forecasted for election day on June 24 and advises voters to vote early.
Clyburn’s endorsement of Cuomo frustrated Mamdani’s supporters and those who have called for Cuomo not to be ranked.
“That Clyburn thinks Andrew Cuomo is part of the future of the Democratic Party – and points to his character!!! — is the problem with the current Democratic Party leadership in a nutshell,” Amanda Litman, president of Run for Something, an organization that encourages young people to run for office, posted on X.
X user Aaron from Queens, who is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and backs Mamdani, said Clyburn “is everything wrong with the gerontocratic democratic party.”
The endorsement is also likely frustrating to Mamdani’s campaign, which will have to siphon the support of black voters from Cuomo to win the primary. Cuomo drew 48% first-choice support from black voters in a recent Marist poll, while Mamdani got only 11%. Latino voters back Mamdani as their first choice, 41% to Cuomo’s 36%, while the pair are in a virtual tie among white voters, 31% to 32%.
The poll saw Cuomo win in the seventh round of ranked choice voting against Mamdani, 55% to 45%.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who was eliminated after the fifth round of voting with 9% support, drew 12% first-choice support from black voters. Mamdani’s campaign, among others, hoped Adams would back the Working Families Party slate that included Mamdani as their top choice.
She declined to, even though her team had crafted a statement to do so. Adams wouldn’t say who she voted for in the race. An Adams endorsement of Mamdani could’ve helped him. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a former member of the “squad” of progressive lawmakers who has endorsed Mamdani, said he was “disappointed” Adams didn’t back Mamdani.
Mamdani’s prominent backers include liberal leaders Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). City comptroller and fellow mayoral candidate Brad Lander, the candidate considered third in the race, mutually backed Mamdani as his second choice.
ADAMS EXPECTS GENERAL ELECTION CHALLENGES FROM CUOMO, MAMDANI DESPITE PRIMARY
Cuomo’s coalition of endorsements includes former Gov. David Paterson (D-NY), former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, the Brooklyn and Queens Democratic Party chairs, fellow NYC mayoral candidate State Sen. Jessica Ramos, and several members of Congress.
The Democratic Primary for mayor in the city will come to a close after voting on June 24; early voting will end on June 22.