Strategic Moves: Candidates Unite to Block Cuomo Ahead of NYC Mayoral Primary

NEW YORK — Candidates in the New York City mayoral race are focusing their last efforts on preventing former Governor Andrew Cuomo from winning in the upcoming Democratic primary. With just hours left to campaign, they urged voters to leave Cuomo off their ballots as a way to block his return after a scandal involving sexual harassment.

City Comptroller Brad Lander emphasized on WNYC radio the importance of stopping Cuomo, stating, “Let’s make sure Andrew Cuomo gets nowhere near City Hall.”

Another candidate, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, echoed this sentiment, calling for “fresh leadership” and bold solutions. Both Lander and Myrie see the primary as a chance to bring new visions to the city, moving past Cuomo’s controversial tenure.

Cuomo, who has been viewed as a frontrunner, now faces criticism from Zohran Mamdani, a young state assemblyman. If elected, Mamdani would be the first Muslim and Indian American mayor of New York City. He has gained traction by addressing high living costs, saying, “New Yorkers are tired of worrying every hour whether they can afford to live here.” Mamdani has remained active in the community, visiting businesses and engaging with voters to strengthen his support.

Cuomo, meanwhile, defended his experience at a union hall, claiming, “This is not a job for a novice.” His supporters include former President Bill Clinton, who stressed the challenges of the role. Conversely, Mamdani has secured endorsements from notable progressives like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, signaling a divide within the Democratic Party.

The Democratic primary also uses ranked choice voting, which means voters can rank candidates according to their preferences. If no candidate receives a majority right away, the candidate with the least votes will be eliminated, and their votes will be redistributed until one candidate secures a majority.

This election highlights deep ideological divides in the Democratic Party, with Cuomo representing traditional moderate views while Mamdani embodies a more progressive platform. Recent polls suggest that Mammadi’s energetic campaign is resonating with younger voters, a demographic increasingly pivotal in politics.

The challenges New Yorkers face are significant, with expensive housing and rising costs dominating discussions. As Mamdani stated, the city’s affordability is a pressing concern that he aims to address directly.

As the primary date approaches, the stakes are high for all candidates. The outcome could reshape New York City’s political landscape and define the future direction of its leadership.

Learn more about the candidates and the election process at [NYC Board of Elections](https://www.vote.nyc).



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New York City, Andrew Cuomo, Bernie Sanders, George Bee, Donald Trump, Voting, Scandals, General news, New York City Wire, New York, NY State Wire, Brad Lander, U.S. news, Socialism, Bill Clinton, Elections, U.S. Democratic Party, Politics, Eric Adams, Billy Sadler