Andrew Cuomo snagged the endorsement of fellow former Gov. David Paterson Wednesday — after also cinching the backing of ex-Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Paterson announced he was backing Cuomo — the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for mayor — during an event where he was joined by union members and Manhattan Democratic Party Leader Keith Wright.
The 55th governor, who served between 2008–2010, praised Cuomo as the “workable, sensible candidate.”
He seemingly took shots at Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, who firmly holds second place in the polls behind Cuomo — and has been drawing criticism from moderate Dems over his ultra-progressive policies.
“Are we gonna engage in absurd extremes, making promises we can’t keep, pledging hopes we can’t fulfill?” Paterson said.
Wright, a former state Assembly member, also endorsed Cuomo, calling out his plan to build more affordable housing.
“The one point that got me, when Andrew says he’s going to build 500,000 units of affordable housing, I believe him!” he said.
“Right now, when I look at the field, I can’t think of anyone more capable of doing it than the one who did it before,” said Paterson at Wednesday’s gathering, held at Amy Ruth’s soul food restaurant in Harlem.
The announcement follows ex-gov.’s endorsement from former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg who expressed similar sentiments about Cuomo’s experience and leadership.
Following the event, the ex-governor posted a statement celebrating the endorsement from the two veteran Dems.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of Former Governor Paterson and former State Assembly Member Keith Wright, two men I have known and respected for many years,” Cuomo wrote on X.