>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
Cuomo, who left office in disgrace in 2021 after sexual harassment allegations, was written off by most political insiders — until now. Despite losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, he’s managed to remain in the mix, polling second as Election Day nears. One recent survey shows Mamdani holding a double-digit lead in the three-way race with Republican Curtis Sliwa, but in a head-to-head matchup, Cuomo and Mamdani are nearly tied.
Sliwa, the conservative Guardian Angels founder, has refused to back down. He even broke ties with his longtime WABC radio boss, John Catsimatidis, in order to stay in the fight. Sliwa’s refusal to quit has made the race even more unpredictable — and now, with Adams backing Cuomo, the dynamics could change again.
Wednesday night’s debate gave voters a fiery preview of what’s at stake. The candidates traded blows over everything from Trump’s immigration crackdown threats to the NYPD’s leadership under Commissioner Jessica Tisch, whom all three surprisingly agreed should stay in charge.
Mamdani tried to hammer Cuomo over his sexual misconduct scandal, while Cuomo and Sliwa joined forces to call out Mamdani’s anti-Israel stance — an issue that has become increasingly defining in the campaign. They also butted heads over transit funding and the future of Rikers Island, which remains a political powder keg.
Adams’ sudden political resurrection adds yet another twist. Though he dropped out of the race on September 28, his name still appears on the ballot under an independent line, keeping him technically in play. It’s been a disastrous year for the mayor — from a federal bribery indictment that was later dropped to plummeting approval numbers and strained ties with both Democrats and Republicans.
“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams said at the time. “The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”
Still, by throwing his support behind Cuomo, Adams may be hoping to salvage what’s left of his political reputation — or at least take a shot at reshaping his legacy.
For Cuomo, this endorsement could be the lifeline he’s been waiting for. Once considered politically dead, the former governor now has a chance to stage a stunning comeback. But with progressives lining up behind Mamdani and conservatives rallying around Sliwa, New York City’s path forward looks more divided than ever.
As early voting begins, the race is no longer just about who becomes mayor — it’s about which version of New York voters want to see rise from the ashes: the old machine politics of Adams and Cuomo, or the radical experiment Mamdani represents. One thing is clear: this is no longer a predictable election. It’s a full-blown political brawl for the future of America’s biggest city.
