Who is Andrew Cuomo? What to know about former governor entering NYC mayoral race
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has officially thrown his hat into the ring to join the crowded field of candidates who want to become New York City’s next mayor − a position held by fellow Democrat, Mayor Eric Adams.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 due to a series of sexual harassment allegations he denies, enjoys wide name recognition and, like Adams, has strong support from orthodox Jewish, Black and Latino voters.
With the primary on June 24, Cuomo doesn’t have much time to collect at least 3,750 signatures from registered voters by April 3.
Which Democrats have already announced they’re running for NYC mayor?
- Eric Adams, incumbent
- Brad Lander, NYC comptroller
- Jessica Ramos, state senator representing Queens
- Zellnor Myrie, state senator representing Brooklyn
- Zohran Mamdani, Assemblymember representing Queens
- Scott Stringer, former NYC comptroller
- Michael Blake, former state Assembly member from the Bronx
Who has already announced their support for Cuomo?
- One-time political rival Carl McCall, the former State Comptroller who ran against Cuomo in the 2002 gubernatorial primary.
- Staten Island Democrats
- Congressman Ritchie Torres, a Democrat who represents part of the Bronx
What to know about Cuomo’s family and politics
A Queens native, Cuomo has spent his entire adult life in politics: first, as a campaign manager and adviser to his father, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo, before taking on the roles of federal housing secretary, state attorney general and eventually governor himself, as Paste BN previously reported.
In 1990, Andrew married Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, in a relationship the tabloids referred to as “Cuomolot,” a play on Camelot. And during their 15-year marriage, they had three daughters: Cara Kennedy-Cuomo, Mariah, and Michaela. They divorced in 2005.
Cuomo dated former Food Network chef Sandra Lee from 2005 until 2019, but never married.
What is the relationship between Cuomo and Trump?
Both political leaders were born in New York City and have known each other for decades. Donald Trump has even donated money to advance Cuomo’s political career and his father, according to multiple reports.
The New York Times reported in 2018 that Trump taped a video for Cuomo’s 1990 bachelor party.
“Whatever you do, Andrew,” Trump said to Cuomo in the video, “don’t ever, ever fool around.”
Although Trump considered running against Cuomo in 2014, he decided against it after the Republican Party wouldn’t unify behind him.
“While I won’t be running for Governor of New York State, a race I would have won, I have much bigger plans in mind,” Trump tweeted in 2014.
Cuomo’s timeline as New York governor
Cuomo won his first gubernatorial election in 2010 and again in 2014 and 2018.
In 2020, the New York governor became a household name across the U.S. as he emerged as a strong Democratic voice during the COVID-19 pandemic. His daily briefings and PowerPoint presentations captivated audiences around the world, with cable networks broadcasting them live daily.
In February 2021, despite the initial praise for his handling of COVID-19, there was growing criticism, from both Democrats and Republicans, directed at Cuomo and his team’s handling of data after an aide admitted withholding nursing home data. None of the inquiries resulted in criminal action.
And in December 2020, a former Cuomo aide, Lindsey Boylan, accused the governor of sexual harassment. Though the governor denied all accusations, few public details were provided at the time.Eight months later, on Aug. 10, 2021, Cuomo chose to resign in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal that overshadowed his administration and derailed his political future. The decision to step down marked the stunning decline of a governor who was once seen as a national symbol of crisis governance during the height of the pandemic.
Contributors: Jon Campbell, Adrienne Dunn, David Robinson and Joe Spector