Andrew Cuomo to run as independent in NYC Mayor's race, with a proposal

(NewsNation) — Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce this week that he is staying in the race as an independent for the mayor of New York City, sources told NewsNation.

A source close to the Cuomo campaign said it is anticipated that the mayoral candidate will officially announce his plans to stay in the race as an independent and have a proposal. Sources tell NewsNation that Cuomo will ask all candidates other than Zohran Mamdani to pledge that whoever is not in the lead come mid-September drop out of the race, himself included. 

This expected announcement arrives on the heels of Cuomo conceding to Zohran Mamdani in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary last month.

Mamdani, who is also a member of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, had a significant lead over Cuomo.

Cuomo told his supporters at the time, “Tonight was not our night.  Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night.”

Mamdani won New York City’s Democratic mayoral race by 12 percentage points.

Mamdani said in a statement after the primary was called, “Last Tuesday, Democrats spoke in a clear voice, delivering a mandate for an affordable city, a politics of the future, and a leader unafraid to fight back against rising authoritarianism.”

After the results were called, Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, said, “We’ll be continuing conversations with people from all across the city while determining next steps.  Extremism, division and empty promises are not the answer to this city’s problems, and while this was a look at what motivates a slice of our primary electorate, it does not represent the majority.”

Cuomo announced he was running for mayor of New York City in March in a video announcement.  During the 17-minute announcement he said in part:

“Our city is in crisis. That's why I am running to be Mayor of New York City. We need government to work. We need effective leadership.”

Cuomo is expected to be joining two other candidates running as independents; current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, announced in June he would be running for re-election as an independent after federal corruption charges were dismissed against him at the request of the Justice Department in April, and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden, who previously said on NewsNation that he is the “only true independent in the race” and has been an “independent for almost twenty years.”

“I am glad Andrew has agreed to adopt my pledge," Walden told NewsNation in a statement in response to Cuomo's move. "I hope Eric and Curtis sign on as well. Putting New York's best interests over our personal ambitions is critical at this moment."

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa vowed during a WABC 770 AM radio appearance, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m in it until Nov. 4.”

Curtis Sliwa told NewsNation Sunday, “Andrew Cuomo lost his primary and hides in the Hamptons. Eric Adams skipped his and fled to Fort Lauderdale. Now, they’re both running as independents to cling to relevance."

"I’m the only candidate with a major party nomination, a 50-year record of serving New Yorkers and a real path to victory," Sliwa added. "While they play musical chairs on a sinking ship, I’m out campaigning in NYC, listening, leading, and fighting to win it for the people. Let the voters decide this November."

The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.

Some recent polls show that if Cuomo runs, Mamdani would have a lead with about 35%, with the ex-governor following behind at about 30%.