Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo would “welcome” incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams‘s endorsement but would reject one from President Donald Trump.
Cuomo is running as an independent against socialist Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Recommended Stories
- Republicans call for Democratic Virginia AG candidate to drop out after violent texts emerge
- Top Trump adviser hints at primary run against Ayotte in New Hampshire
- Ro Khanna calls on Steny Hoyer to retire, slamming his ties to AIPAC
“I would welcome his support. You know, this is a general election, it’s Democrats, Republicans, independents,” Cuomo told NBC News.
“I would welcome the mayor’s support. I’d welcome big-tent support,” Cuomo added. “And the mayor obviously has experience, great deal of experience, not just as mayor of New York. I worked with him in Albany. He was a state senator, so we know each other a long time.”
But he drew the line at Trump. “The tent isn’t that big,” he said.
“That’s the limitation,” Cuomo added. “I have not had a conversation, nor would I accept an endorsement from President Trump.”
Cuomo is Trump’s preferred candidate in the race, which has seen Mamdani lead in the polls throughout. The president has called Mamdani a communist and communicated that he believed the socialist would be a poor choice to lead New York City. He called on Sliwa and Adams to drop out in September so Cuomo could face Mamdani one-on-one.
“I don’t like to see a communist become mayor, I will tell you that,” Trump said then.
Trump reportedly spoke with Cuomo about the race, though the Cuomo campaign has denied that.
Cuomo reportedly told a crowd at a Hamptons fundraiser in August that he was hoping Trump and other top Republicans would push voters to support him over Sliwa. “We can minimize [the Sliwa] vote, because he’ll never be a serious candidate,” Cuomo said. “And Trump himself, as well as top Republicans, will say the goal is to stop Mamdani. And you’ll be wasting your vote on Sliwa. So I feel good about that.”
Cuomo dodged associating himself with Trump, though Mamdani relished forcing the issue.
“Cuomo is Trump’s choice for Mayor,” Mamdani said last month. “New Yorkers are sick of corrupt politics and backroom deals.”
The former governor was a favorite to win the June Democratic primary, but Mamdani upset Cuomo to win by double-digits. He faced opposition from most of the Democratic field for the past sexual harassment allegations against him, which he has denied, leading to his resignation as governor.
Cuomo has pined to lead the opposition against Mamdani, prodding other candidates to drop out since he lost the primary in June. Adams dropped out of the race last month, but hasn’t backed a candidate yet. Sliwa has accused Cuomo’s campaign of trying to bribe him out of the race, and he’s been resistant to dropping out.
A recent Fox News poll showed an 18-point gap between Mamdani and Cuomo, 47% to 29%. Sliwa held 11% support, and Adams came in at 7% support.
CUOMO APOLOGIZES TO NEW YORK CITY’S JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Two mayoral debates are scheduled for later this month on Oct. 16 and Oct. 22.
Early voting begins Oct. 25 and runs until Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.