Former Governor Andrew Cuomo convened with over 80 business leaders on Tuesday in Manhattan. The meeting comes against the backdrop of a tightening New York City mayoral race, where election day is less than two months away. During this gathering, Cuomo discussed strategies to rally support against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who is currently leading the race according to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College. The survey indicated Mamdani holds 46% of the vote, leaving Cuomo significantly behind at 24%. The results also hinted at a competitive showdown between the two, suggesting a hypothetical match-up where Mamdani garners 48% to Cuomo’s 44%.
Cuomo addressed the assembled crowd at The Pool event space within The Seagram Building for approximately 25 minutes. He presented his vision for winning the mayoral contest. Attendees left the gathering in tailored business outfits, including a finance professional who shared with Fox News that Cuomo appeared “energetic” and was optimistic about the potential departure of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams from the race.
Mamdani’s campaign quickly responded to the poll results. Spokesperson Dora Pekec asserted, “New York City is not for sale. The backroom scheming from Donald Trump and the billionaire class is backfiring, as New Yorkers see Zohran Mamdani is the only candidate who will fight to make the most expensive city in the country more affordable.”
In a related development, President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Cuomo’s chances against Mamdani, suggesting that if both Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa withdrew, it would give Cuomo a better chance. Trump noted, “I don’t think you can win unless you have one on one,” denying any personal encouragement to candidates regarding their participation.
Despite Trump’s optimism, Cuomo shrugged off the poll, stating he doesn’t take it “all that seriously.” He suggested that should Adams and Sliwa remain in the race, voters would ultimately gravitate towards a two-person contest between himself and Mamdani. Even with current polling showing him at just 24% when both opponents stay in, Cuomo maintained his belief that he could prevail against Mamdani, emphasizing the importance of consolidating support against him.
Cuomo described the event attendees as a cross-section of society, claiming, “people from all walks of life” are concerned about a Mamdani victory. A businessman present at the meeting compared this election to “being in a ring with Muhammad Ali versus an amateur,” stating that Cuomo is equipped with the necessary skills to manage the city’s issues, specifically expressing a desire for a return to mental health facilities for individuals living on the streets.
Marc Altheim, a yoga studio owner and former partner at a real estate firm, echoed concerns about the ramifications of a Mamdani win. He expressed his support for Cuomo, saying, “I’m here because Andrew is obviously the better candidate to be running this city. I’m very concerned that New York City’s gonna be decimated if the other guy takes office.” He praised Cuomo’s pro-police stance and commitment to urban development, criticizing Mamdani’s lack of experience. Altheim asserted, “He never managed anything. So for me, I want a mayor who’s competent. I don’t want someone who’s just paying lip service and giving things for free.”
In the political landscape ahead of the election, Cuomo’s consolidation efforts come after independent candidate Jim Walden stepped back from the race last week, calling on remaining contenders to unify against Mamdani. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently rallied against “oligarchy” alongside Mamdani in Brooklyn, addressed the situation online, claiming, “The oligarchs are panicking. They will spend as much as it takes to try to defeat Zohran Mamdani. They’ve got the money. We’ve got the people. Together, let’s elect Zohran and stop billionaires from buying elections.”
As New Yorkers brace for the upcoming election, the contrasting narratives underscore the stakes involved. Each candidate presents starkly different visions for the city’s future, and as the race heats up, it remains to be seen which direction voters will choose.
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