Andrew Cuomo, the disgraced New York governor who resigned over sexual assault allegations in 2021, has officially launched his campaign for New York City mayor as a Democrat after he was widely speculated to run.

Cuomo is already considered the clear frontrunner in the mayoral race to replace Mayor Eric Adams, who has found himself in hot water lately after the Department of Justice moved to dismiss his federal indictment. The former governor did not directly mention Adams, but he appeared to throw his scandal-ridden first term under the bus.

“The city just feels threatening, out of control,” Cuomo said in an announcement video Saturday afternoon. “These conditions exist not as an act of God, but rather as an act of our political leaders. Or more precisely, the lack of intelligent action by many of our political leaders.”

“I know we can turn the city around, and I believe I can help, and that is why I announced my candidacy today for mayor of New York City,” he added.

Cuomo stepped down as governor in August 2021 after he was accused of sexually harassing multiple female employees to avoid getting impeached. Cuomo was succeeded by his lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul, who served the remainder of his third term and won the 2022 election. Cuomo has denied the allegations.

In the announcement, he briefly referenced his premature exit from politics.

“Did I always do everything right in my years of government service? Of course not,” Cuomo asserted. “Would I do some things differently knowing what I know now? Certainly. Did I make mistakes? Some painfully. Definitely. And I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for. And I hope to show you that every day.”

The longtime Democrat will challenge New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and others to topple Adams in the June Democratic primary before the mayoral election in November.