Embattled Cuomo not ready to endorse in race for mayor
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo says he’s not quite ready to reveal who he’s pulling for in the New York City mayoral race.
With dozens of the governor’s fellow Democrats in the running and the June 22 primary fast approaching, the scandal-plagued governor said Monday that he is holding off on endorsing anyone at the moment.
“I have not exercised, or voiced, an opinion, but I’m watching and I may,” Cuomo said during an afternoon call with reporters.
The governor expounded on the importance of the Big Apple’s economic recovery and the myriad issues that will face whoever takes over for Mayor de Blasio as New York emerges from the COVID pandemic.
“You have to show people hope and future and optimism,” he said. “What the next mayor does is also important. A competent mayor who understands how to manage and how to run and how to execute things is key.”
It’s unclear if any of the top-tier Dems seeking the position would welcome the governor’s endorsement.
Several have called on Cuomo to resign as multiple women came forward in recent months to accuse him of sexual harassment and his administration faces a federal probe over its handling of COVID nursing home deaths.
Contenders Kathryn Garcia and Maya Wiley were among the first in the crowded field to say the governor should step down as accusations mounted.
Just last week, Wiley unveiled an ethics reform plan for the city, using Cuomo’s Midtown office as a backdrop.
Wiley said new rules are sorely overdue in light of the scandals that have rocked the Cuomo administration, including the allegations of sexual misconduct, an impeachment probe and ethics concerns about his million-dollar book deal and family members getting COVID testing priority.
Front-runner Andrew Yang sent the governor a letter last month calling on him to step aside while Attorney General Letitia James’ office oversees an independent investigation into his behavior.
Current city comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer joined the chorus of those calling on Cuomo to step down last month, adding that should he refuse, as he has done, the Legislature should move forward with impeachment. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, also seeking to replace de Blasio, has done the same.
While the governor, who has famously clashed with de Blasio, wouldn’t reveal his favorite among the pack, he did have plenty of advice to offer.
Cuomo listed off dozens of infrastructure projects and other topics, such as police reforms and homelessness, that he believes the next mayor will need to tackle.
“The competence of the mayor is vital, and we have seen good mayors and we have seen less-good mayors and we know that it makes a difference, but we need the best we can get at this time,” he said.
