Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo considering run for NYC mayor (report)

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is considering a run for mayor of New York City, according to a new report.

Cuomo has begun “to gauge the viability of a potential mayoral bid,” according to Politico sources, as current Mayor Eric Adams faces a federal investigation over an alleged straw donor scheme. Six people were charged in a state investigation earlier this year over an alleged scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars in public funds to Adams’ campaign months before his election, though Adams was not implicated at the time.

Sources told Politico that Cuomo would not run against Adams, a fellow Democrat, in a primary race but would make a bid if Adams’ political future comes to an end. Cuomo was born and raised in Queens and would be eligible to run if he lives in NYC on Election Day.

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 after an investigation overseen by state Attorney General Letitia James concluded he sexually harassed 11 women in the workplace. He also faced scrutiny over his $5 million deal to publish a book about his handling of the early months of coronavirus, and investigations into his nursing home scandal, including underreporting deaths from Covid-19 in the pandemic.

Cuomo has not been hit with any criminal charges and still denies wrongdoing.

He has repeatedly indicated a desire to return to office, and reportedly considered running against Gov. Kathy Hochul for New York state’s highest office in 2022. He has also reportedly considered running for president, including in 2020.

“My opinion is if he runs, he will win,” Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., a former state senator and ex-member of the New York City Council, said of Cuomo in an interview with Politico. “People are in need of a leader. Even though Governor Cuomo and I have our differences, we’ve had many fights in the past, and besides the differences, I think he was a great governor.”