Three years after he resigned as the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo has entered the New York City mayoral race with the intent to unseat Eric Adams.
Cuomo announced his decision to run in a 17-minute video in which he reintroduced himself to voters.
“Today, it is necessary to launch a bold action plan to turn New York City around to save our city,” Cuomo said.
“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,” he continued. “But I promise you this: I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it, and I will give it my all to get the job done — and it will get done.”
The mayoral race could also include City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and police commissioner Jessica Tisch, both of whom are being encouraged to run. The New York Times reported public polling has Cuomo in the lead.
Cuomo resigned in August 2021 one week after Attorney General Letitia James announced her office had found he sexually harassed 11 women.
“In my mind, I never crossed the line with anyone but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn,” Cuomo said at the time. “I think that given the circumstances the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government, and therefore that is what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you.”
“Government operations and wasting energy on distraction is the last thing government should be,. I cannot be the cause. ‘New York tough’ means New York loving and I love New York and I love you. Everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love and I would never want to be unhelpful in any way,” he added.
Adams was indicted on federal charges in September, the result of a corruption investigation into his office. The indictment comes after several high profile Adams associates have come under investigation, with some already facing criminal charges or accusations of serious misconduct.
