NYC Staten Island Democrats endorse Cuomo for Mayor race
The Staten Island Democratic Party formally backed Andrew Cuomo for mayor Thursday – even though the ex-New York governor hasn’t declared he’s running.
The executive committee of the borough’s Democratic Party called on Cuomo to launch a mayoral bid and join a crowded field of candidates looking to dethrone Mayor Eric Adams in June’s primary.
The Staten Island committee, in explaining the usual move, cited Adams’ budding relationship with President Trump and his administration and reports that the mayor is considering running as a Republican to stay in power if he loses the Democratic primary.
“We made this decision in light of recent news that our current mayor sought the nomination of multiple Republican chairs, cut a deal that prioritized himself over 8 million New Yorkers, and essentially handed the keys to New York City to the President,” Staten Island Democratic Party chair Laura LoBianco Sword told The Post in a statement.
“This is an affront, and enough is enough. We believe Andrew Cuomo is the only proven leader with the track record of results and resolve to both navigate attacks from Washington and properly address the issues of corruption and deteriorating quality of life that our city faces today.”
Adams has had several conversations in recent weeks with GOP leaders about tapping into a state law that would allow him to run as a Republican candidate in the general election if he loses in the Democratic primary, multiple sources familiar with the talks told The Post this week.
But Adams has insisted he does not plan to run as a Republican in this year’s contest.
Hizzoner has also faced accusations he’s ceding to Trump’s agenda, including the president’s hardline immigration enforcement, in hopes of seeing his criminal case disappear.
Sword, in an interview Thursday night, said the executive committee overwhelmingly wants Cuomo to run Gotham.
“Andrew Cuomo gets Staten Island. He gets us. He knows the needs of the outer boroughs,” she said. “He’s the only one in the field who can take on the challenges.”
Cuomo “delivered” for the borough following the devastation from Hurricane Sandy and ensured a COVID testing site and COVID hospital were promptly set up in 2020, she said in a statement.
“Andrew Cuomo understands Staten Island. He preserved our toll discounts when others threatened it, built the HOV lane to the Battery Tunnel, increased lanes from 4 to 6 on the Verrazzano, and built a brand new Goethals Bridge,” Sword said.
Cuomo carries plenty of political baggage after he resigned from office in 2021 because of mounting allegations of sexual harassment.
Recent polls have shown Cuomo holding a commanding lead over other candidates like Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and former comptroller Scott Stringer.
