Andrew Cuomo to Withdraw from NYC Mayoral Race

After suffering a significant defeat in the primary, former governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is expected to withdraw from the race, according to sources. His campaign has been deeply damaged by a crushing loss to socialist Zohran Mamdani, and many of Cuomo’s supporters and donors are now shifting their backing towards other candidates, notably Mayor Eric Adams.

Insiders indicate that Cuomo is unlikely to pursue a third-party bid in the general election, citing a lack of viable momentum or resources. Despite ongoing speculation, Cuomo has stated he is waiting for the final ranked-choice vote tallies before making a definitive decision. He emphasized the importance of evaluating the full results and understanding the political landscape before committing.

The primary result has sent shockwaves through city politics, with many business and union leaders questioning whether to support Mamdani—who, despite an outsider status and proposals to raise taxes, secured an unexpected victory—or to back Adams. Some insiders suggest the backing for Adams may be tentative, especially if his poor polling numbers persist as the race intensifies.

Prominent billionaire Bill Ackman, previously an supporter of Cuomo, is now preparing to endorse Adams, hoping other candidates step aside. Some local business leaders, even amid concerns about Adams’ recent legal controversies, consider him the best remaining candidate to preserve stability and support economic interests in the city.

With Cuomo’s withdrawal imminent, Mamdani is poised to face Adams, along with independent Jim Walden and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November elections. Many Democratic figures have expressed support for Mamdani, endorsing his potential to bring fresh leadership despite his outsider status within the party.

The future of Cuomo’s political comeback appears bleak, with experts deeming his reelection bid as effectively over. The primary loss exposed vulnerabilities in his campaign strategy, and many now see his potential independent bid as unlikely to succeed.