Andrew Cuomo’s Low Profile in NYC Mayoral Race

Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor, has refrained from engaging with the public, seeming to shy away from voters.

Where is Cuomo?

As early voting begins ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary, Cuomo’s appearances have been minimal—limited mostly to two debates and a brief photo opportunity at the Puerto Rican Day Parade on June 8. He hasn’t organized rallies, made concerted efforts to meet voters, or maintained a strong media presence. Instead, he appears to be avoiding scrutiny.

Once a media favorite, Cuomo hosted pandemic press briefings for 111 days straight, often turning them into his personal showcase. He claimed millions of viewers watched his COVID updates, highlighting his once-high visibility.

Andrew Cuomo at a NYC mayoral forum — In a rare public appearance, Cuomo spoke with Al Sharpton at a recent event, shown with Sharpton in April. (AP)

Now, Cuomo is mostly absent, communicating only through sporadic endorsements via email. Despite a campaign outreach, his schedule remains largely hidden, and his spokesperson has not responded to questions about when he will be visible in public again.

This silence might have made sense earlier when Cuomo was considered the frontrunner. But with scandals surrounding his COVID policies, which contributed to thousands of nursing home deaths, and his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, his invisibility raises questions about his campaign strategy.

Protestor outside rally — Supporters are urging voters not to rank Cuomo in the primary’s ranked-choice voting. (ZUMAPRESS.com)

As Cuomo retreats, a new contender, Zohran Mamdani, has surged in the polls. A progressive with strong grassroots support and endorsements from figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani has become a significant obstacle to Cuomo’s bid.

Mamdani rally with supporters — Mamdani has used aggressive social media campaigns and multilingual ads to promote his socialist platform, actively campaigning where Cuomo is silent. (William Miller)

Unlike Trump in 2024, who actively campaigned despite legal challenges, Cuomo’s avoidance strategy means he sidesteps debates about his past mistakes. His prior campaign days, focused on direct voter contact, are increasingly missing.

Initially perceived as the likely candidate, Cuomo’s low profile now seems a calculated move, possibly to avoid questions about his tenure and controversies. But in doing so, he risks alienating voters who desire a leader willing to face the city’s issues directly.

Assembly member outside restaurant — Many feel Cuomo is taking New Yorkers for granted in this race.

Meanwhile, Mamdani’s rising popularity, fueled by relentless advertising and grassroots organizing, threatens to disrupt Cuomo’s bid. His energetic presence on social media and the streets contrasts sharply with Cuomo’s silence.

As the primary approaches, Cuomo’s complacency and overconfidence may backfire, impacting not just his hopes for office but the future direction of New York City.

Cuomo appears to believe victory is assured—yet, he may be overlooking the unrest and desire for change among New Yorkers.