Progressives and Women’s Groups Say #HellNoCuomo
Andrew Cuomo, on the campaign trail for NYC Mayor
By Dan Murphy
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is riding high in the polls in his quest to return to political power in the Empire State, this time as Mayor of New York City. Cuomo has a 20-point lead on the current Mayor, Eric Adams, and several other announced Democrats.
But something strange or missing was in Cuomo’s announcement last week. No prominent Democrats supported Cuomo, and no prominent Democrats opposed his return.
Cuomo was forced to resign as Governor four years ago due to a report from NYSAG Letitia James that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 different women and employees. In his recent 17-minute announcement for Mayor, Cuomo waited until the end to acknowledge his mistakes, saying, “Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it and I hope to show that every day.”
Granted, Cuomo was never charged for the sexual harassment allegations made against him. But if he did nothing wrong, why did he resign?
Almost all prominent democrats who called for him to resign in 2021 are silent about his run for NYC Mayor. What gives?
When U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand was asked by a reporter in a video about Cuomo for Mayor, the pained expression on her face indicated the comments we received from several Westchester Democrats about Cuomo.
Gillibrand said, “It’s up to New York voters; it’s not up to me. He has a lot of talent as an executive, and he’s been a very strong governor … but he has admitted and said he’s made mistakes … serious mistakes.”
State Senator Gustavo Rivera, one of the few elected democrats to come out against Cuomo, called out Gillibrand. “I’m sorry @SenGillibrand, but this lack of courage ain’t it. You were around when he was Governor and can attest to, not only, his brutish, abusive behavior, but how his actions actively hurt New Yorkers. New Yorkers deserve better, and you know that.” And, “@andrewcuomo was a horrendous, abusive Governor, and I’m proud to say I had a role in getting him to resign. New Yorkers do NOT need a narcissistic, petty man who tried to convince us his toxically abusive management style was “competence” while making PLENTY of decisions that actively hurt the city to this day.”
Most Westchester Democrats we spoke to about Cuomo would only speak off the record. One elected Democrat said, “I think he will do well,” but offered no support or endorsement.
A Sound View Democrat told us, “I don’t like him, but I think he will win. He’s an asshole, and in New York City, you have to be tough to be a successful Mayor.” Again, there was no support or enthusiasm for his campaign.
One Westchester Democrat agreed with us that there was a disconnect between Cuomo’s run and the many NY Democrats who called for him to resign just a few years ago.
“Nobody will step forward to stand against Cuomo because there is no other viable option. All of the Democrats who are running can’t be Cuomo. But there is one Democrat that many are waiting for. It’s the other Adams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. If she announces, then you will see the democratic powerhouses come out for her. It’s easier to support Adams than to oppose Cuomo.
Cuomo’s accusers have also come out against his run for Mayor. “After spending years of talking about how Trump is so corrupt, so monstrous, so misogynistic, to have anyone in our party suggest that Andrew Cuomo has a role to play basically makes our leaders look like cynical do-nothings who have no morals,” said Lindsey Boylan.
Former Westchester resident Charlotte Bennett recently dropped her lawsuit against Cuomo after Cuomo’s attorney requested her gynecological records.
The harassment suits against Cuomo cost NY taxpayers $28 million in legal fees, which we were forced to pay to defend Cuomo.
“Cuomo’s TAXPAYER FUNDED lawyer, who is using YOUR MONEY to harass the victims of sexual harassment by demanding their private gynecological records. This is diabolical. They will never see heaven.” Posted @DreamNYC-Don’t Rank Eric or Andrew for Mayor, one of several groups working against Cuomo’s run for Mayor.
The New York Working Families Party also came out against Cuomo. “Just four years ago, everyone agreed: Cuomo was unfit to lead because of his abuses of power and serial sexual harassment. We refuse to return to the days when this was the norm.”
Former candidate for Governor Cynthia Nixon posted, “Andrew Cuomo himself is a walking crisis. If you thought Adam’s corruption made him vulnerable and beholden to Trump, you can’t begin to imagine what Trump will have on Cuomo, who already had to resign once from office in disgrace.”
“Leaders of an advocacy group for nursing home residents who blame ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for the COVID-related deaths of thousands of relatives, urged New York City voters to reject his expected comeback bid for Mayor.” Writes the NY Post.
NY Indivisible posted, “Andrew Cuomo is a serial sexual predator, nursing home resident killer, opportunist book deal scamming, corporate puppet, failed Governor who resigned in disgrace. He should not be on anyone’s dance card for Mayor of NYC.”
State Senator and NYC Mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos posted, “There has to be some misunderstanding. Andrew hasn’t lived in NYC for nearly three decades. Shouldn’t he be running for office in Westchester, where he lived after resigning in disgrace?”
Andrew Cuomo lived in Westchester for three decades, with his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy and his three daughters in Bedford, and then in New Castle with Sandra Lee.
One of the larger groups working against Cuomo is New Yorkers for Better Leadership, which sent out a memo shortly after his announcement.
Subject: What New Yorkers Need to Know About Andrew Cuomo
New Yorkers for Better Leadership is a coalition of concerned citizens dedicated to shedding light on Andrew Cuomo’s record in office. While many New Yorkers know that Cuomo resigned to avoid impeachment over a sexual harassment scandal involving 13 women, many do not know that the former Governor lied about his Covid record, wrecked our subways, wasted our tax dollars on bad business deals, and increased homelessness on our streets. In short, Governor Cuomo is not just a bad man; he was a bad governor. New Yorkers deserve better leadership, not more of the incompetence and chaos that got us here.”
In an opinion piece for the NY Daily News, Michael Bocian writes, “Several recent polls show former Gov. Andrew Cuomo leading the 2025 race for New York Mayor. News reports have called Cuomo “an early frontrunner” and said he would “handily win” in a race he has not yet entered. As a pollster who has worked on hundreds of races, I would offer a note of caution on the prognostications.
“Our own poll of 800 likely New York City Democratic primary voters, conducted for United for a Brighter Tomorrow, an advocacy organization that works to educate Americans about the need for honest leadership, shows the following: New Yorkers have mixed feelings about Cuomo (45% favorable/47% unfavorable)… Cuomo’s ratings are even worse among those who say they will definitely vote in the primary (43% favorable/50% unfavorable). ‘
“Cuomo is vulnerable, and his support erodes quickly when voters are reminded of his actions. After voters hear a series of negative messages about his record, Cuomo’s favorability falls precipitously. He ends the survey at a stunning 66% unfavorable. Moreover, Cuomo’s vote share drops from 31% initially to 18% after the messages.
“The most troubling aspect for a potential Cuomo campaign is the fact that the largest drop-off in support comes from his base: Black and Latino working-class voters. After messaging, Cuomo’s support among these voters drops by nearly 20 points…It is remarkable that a candidate as well-known as Cuomo loses support this quickly just by reminding voters about his record. New Yorkers are clearly unhappy and looking for a change. Cuomo’s high name recognition boosts him in public polling at this stage, but his support is incredibly soft. This race is up for grabs,” writes Bocian, a founding partner at GBAO, a Democratic polling firm whose client, United for a Brighter Tomorrow, is running anti-Cuomo ads.
The NY Post blasted Cuomo on a recent front-page headline: “Behold! The Biggest Liar in New York wants to be Mayor.”
“One of Cuomo’s most memorable charades was when he pretended to be the Hero of Covid. He built paper mache mountains, pontificated about the science, then sent scores of elderly parents to die in nursing homes, where the virus ran wild.
“Sir! Don’t be fooled! He will try to claim the federal government told him to do it. More of his lies! Congress actually suggested he be criminally charged. Yes, for perjury!
“Oh, he’ll tell you that (the sexual harassment allegations) was all a witch hunt, suggesting that he’s allowed to fondle women because he’s Italian. But now that an eight-month investigation by the Assembly found “overwhelming evidence” he sexually harassed women. The Attorney General found the same.
“Who signed the justice “reforms” that means you can’t lock up criminals? Who changed the discovery laws so more cases are thrown out? Who is the reason the clerk at Duane Reade needs to unlock the toothpaste for you?” https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/behold-biggest-liar-in-new-york-wants-to-be-mayor/
One Westchester Democrat we spoke to said that Cuomo was using his run for Mayor and apparent victory “to lay the groundwork for a run for President. He sees no other Democrat out there who can win against VP JD Vance in 2028.”
I have always applauded Governor Cuomo’s implementation of the Property Tax Cap in NY. It was his most outstanding achievement, but that was in 2011.
Other candidates running in the Democratic primary include Zellnor Myrie, city Comptroller Brad Lander, state Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, ex-Assemblyman Michael Blake, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, and financier Whitney Tilson.
