Eric Adams Endorses Andrew Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race
Eric Adams Endorses Andrew Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race
New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the highly competitive NYC mayoral race. The announcement took place at NYCHA's Carver Houses, where the two politicians shared a warm embrace, signaling a new alliance despite past tensions. This endorsement comes just days before early voting begins, potentially shifting the dynamics of the race.
Context and Significance
Adams, who ended his reelection campaign last month after polling poorly, expressed a desire to unify the Democratic front against other candidates. He acknowledged past criticisms exchanged between him and Cuomo but emphasized the importance of coming together for the city's future. Cuomo, polling second behind Zohran Mamdani, may gain momentum from Adams’ support as they prepare for a tough, grassroots campaign targeting voters block by block.
Potential Impact on the Race
The timing of Adams’ endorsement is crucial, as Cuomo seeks to close the gap in polls. While Mamdani currently holds a strong lead, this alliance could influence undecided voters and strengthen Cuomo’s position. Both leaders have committed to working closely as the election approaches, highlighting a strategic partnership aimed at securing victory in the coming weeks.
About the People Mentioned
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo is an American politician and attorney who served as the 56th governor of New York from 2011 until his resignation in 2021. Born on December 6, 1957, he is the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Cuomo graduated from Fordham University in 1979 and earned a law degree from Albany Law School in 1982. Early in his career, he founded the Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (HELP), a nonprofit focusing on homeless services. He served as Assistant Secretary and then as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. Cuomo was elected New York State Attorney General in 2006 before winning the governorship in 2010. As governor, he championed progressive policies including marriage equality, codifying abortion rights into state law, instituting the nation’s most comprehensive paid family leave policy, raising the minimum wage to $15, and passing strong gun violence prevention laws. He also implemented significant infrastructure projects, such as rebuilding LaGuardia and JFK airports, opening Moynihan Train Hall, and expanding the subway system. Cuomo’s administration focused on fiscal responsibility, maintaining balanced budgets, lowering taxes for the middle class, and capping property taxes. He also expanded healthcare coverage, adding over one million previously uninsured New Yorkers. Cuomo gained national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for his daily briefings and leadership in managing the crisis in New York State, though his administration faced criticism and an FBI investigation over underreported nursing home deaths related to COVID-19. In 2021, amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment by former employees, Cuomo resigned from office. He is a father of three daughters and remains a notable figure in New York politics, with a mixed legacy of policy achievements and controversy.
Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember representing District 36, which includes Astoria and other Queens neighborhoods. He is notably the first South Asian man, the first Ugandan, and only the third Muslim to serve in the New York State Assembly. Mamdani is a democratic socialist focused on advocating for affordable housing, environmental justice, and equitable public services, aiming to improve the quality of life for working-class New Yorkers who face high rent burdens, pollution, and profiling[1][3]. Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, Mamdani graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a degree in Africana studies. During college, he was politically active, cofounding a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and organizing a boycott of Israeli institutions. After college, he worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor in Queens and was involved in community organizing, experiences that motivated his entry into politics[3]. In 2020, Mamdani defeated a Democratic incumbent to win his Assembly seat and has since been re-elected twice. Among his key achievements, he co-created a pilot program for fare-free bus service in New York City and led a 15-day hunger strike in 2021 to protest predatory loans impacting taxi drivers, which resulted in $450 million in debt relief for them. He has also secured over $100 million in state funds to improve subway service and launched initiatives to combat environmental and social injustices in his district[2][3]. Currently, Mamdani is running for Mayor of New York City on a platform to lower the cost of living, improve public transit, and support working families, emphasizing government’s role in making life more affordable and dignified for all New Yorkers[2].
About the Organizations Mentioned
New York City Housing Authority
The **New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)** is the largest public housing authority in the United States, providing affordable housing to more than 520,000 authorized residents across over 177,000 apartments in 335 developments—serving roughly 1 in 17 New Yorkers[1]. Established in 1934, NYCHA’s mission is to offer decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents, with its first development, First Houses, opening in 1935[1]. The organization has long been a cornerstone of the city’s social infrastructure, housing essential workers and notable figures such as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, former Goldman Sachs leader Lloyd Blankfein, actress Whoopi Goldberg, and NASA engineer Aprille Ericsson[1]. ## Key Achievements and Challenges NYCHA’s portfolio represents a significant portion of New York’s affordable housing stock, but decades of federal disinvestment have left the system with nearly $80 billion in needed repairs[1]. Despite these challenges, NYCHA has pursued innovative strategies to attract investment, improve living conditions, and modernize its aging infrastructure. In recent years, the authority has introduced programs like the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and the new Preservation Trust, giving residents a direct say—via resident voting—in the future of their developments[4]. These programs aim to leverage public-private partnerships and new funding mechanisms to preserve and expand affordable housing. ## Current Status and Innovations As of 2025, NYCHA operates with an annual budget exceeding $5 billion and is undergoing a major overhaul of its tenant selection process to prioritize those in greatest need, including victims of domestic violence and those requiring reasonable accommodations[2][7]. The authority is also actively seeking development partners to utilize underused land (e.g., parking lots) for new affordable housing, exploring tools like Transfer of Development Rights and Project-Based Vouchers to generate revenue and increase housing supply[6]. NYCHA’s current initiatives reflect a
