Adams to back Cuomo to try to help stop Mamdani’s runaway bid for New York mayor

New York Mayor Eric Adams is expected to endorse former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the city’s mayoral race as early as Thursday.

Mr. Adams, a Democrat, dropped out of the mayoral race in September after claiming he was the only candidate strong enough to beat the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani.

“I can confirm that the Mayor will endorse former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for mayor and intends to campaign alongside him,” Adams spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a statement. “The time and locations for their joint appearances are currently being finalized.”

Mr. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has deepened divisions in the Democratic Party over how far left it should veer after the party’s sweeping losses in 2024.

He is far ahead in the polls and appears unstoppable as the Nov 4 election draws near.

Mr. Mamdani won the endorsement of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the race to lead the nation’s largest city. He has also been endorsed by far-left figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, have not endorsed him.

Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat running as an independent, was forced out of the governor’s office in 2021 — with the help of Mr. Schumer and Mr. Jeffries — amid sexual harassment and misconduct allegations.

Mr. Adams previously lashed out at Mr. Cuomo for pressuring him to drop out of the race, but now said he would campaign with the former governor in neighborhoods where the mayor is most popular, a move first reported by The New York Times.

This comes as the two sat together courtside at the New York Knicks’ season opener, sparking endorsement speculation.

“Both the mayor and myself are Democrats, and we do see Mamdani as an existential threat,” Mr. Cuomo said in an interview with NY1. “A person who’s dangerously inexperienced who could hurt this city.”

The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Mamdani for comment.

Mr. Mamdani, Mr. Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa traded barbs during the final New York City mayoral debate on Wednesday.