Cuomo Gains Bipartisan Support, Yet Trails Mamdani in Polls

As the New York City mayoral race approaches its climax, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo has garnered notable support from across the political spectrum. This backing includes endorsements from former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, New York Representative Tom Suozzi, and former Governor David Paterson. Notably, Nick Langworthy, a Republican Congressman who previously criticized Cuomo, has also thrown his support behind the former governor.

Langworthy, who once described Cuomo’s actions as “Ebeneezer Scrooge” in reference to his closure of correctional facilities, expressed a striking transformation in sentiment. In an interview with CBS News, he stated, “No one was a fiercer critic of his time as governor than I was.” He emphasized that despite his past criticisms, Cuomo is now the preferable choice for New Yorkers compared to Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Republican Concerns Over Mamdani’s Policies

Republican representatives, including Mike Lawler, have expressed apprehension regarding Mamdani’s connections to the Democratic Socialists of America. They point to his proposed policies, which include providing free public transportation, freezing rents on stabilized units, and increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers. Langworthy warned that such initiatives could lead New York “backward” and described a potential Mamdani victory as a risk that could have nationwide repercussions.

Langworthy’s support for Cuomo raises questions about the Republican Party’s strategy in this election. He remarked on the implications of Mamdani’s policies potentially spreading across the country if he gains a platform through electoral success. Langworthy also challenged the viability of Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, questioning whether his candidacy serves a genuine purpose or is merely a “vanity run.”

Polling Dynamics and Election Outlook

Current polling from Quinnipiac University indicates that Mamdani leads Cuomo by a margin of 43% to 33%, with Sliwa trailing at 14%. Despite Mamdani’s recent endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, he downplayed the significance of endorsements in determining election outcomes. In an interview with Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show,” Mamdani asserted, “In many ways… the days of endorsements deciding elections, those days have come to an end.”

Mamdani is focusing on grassroots efforts, bolstered by over 90,000 volunteers engaged in neighborhood canvassing and phone banking. Meanwhile, Sliwa remains determined to stay in the race, asserting that the choice of the next mayor should rest with the voters, not “billionaires or the professional political class.”

As early voting progresses, nearly half a million New Yorkers have already cast their ballots ahead of the election scheduled for November 4, 2025. The dynamics of this race will likely continue to evolve as candidates vie for the attention and support of a diverse electorate in one of the world’s most populous cities.