The New York City mayoral race has taken a dramatic turn just weeks before Election Day, as outgoing Mayor Eric Adams threw his support behind former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a bid to block the surging campaign of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. The endorsement, announced on October 23, 2025, comes after a tumultuous campaign season marked by scandals, shifting alliances, and pointed accusations that have left New Yorkers watching with a mix of fascination and concern.
Adams, who dropped out of the race in September amid plummeting poll numbers and a federal bribery indictment that was ultimately dismissed, appeared alongside Cuomo at a joint press conference to make the announcement official. The two were seen courtside together at the New York Knicks home opener at Madison Square Garden the night before, a public show of unity following a heated mayoral debate between Mamdani, Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
"Am I angry that I'm not the one taking down Zohran, the socialist and the communist? You're darn right I am," Adams told reporters, his tone both candid and resigned. "But you know what? The city means more to me than anything, and it is time for us as a family to come together." Adams, New York City's second Black mayor, pledged to campaign in "Black and brown communities" in the final days of the race, urging his supporters to rally behind Cuomo for the good of the city.
Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary but remains in the race as an independent, was quick to praise Adams for what he described as a selfless act. "He cares more about New York City, and he believes Zohran is an existential threat to New York City, and we all have to do our best to make sure that Zohran does not become the next mayor," Cuomo said. The former governor, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations and criticism over his handling of COVID-19 nursing home deaths—allegations he vehemently denies and has not been charged with—has positioned himself as the last line of defense against what he and Adams depict as a dangerous leftward shift in city politics.
For Mamdani, a 34-year-old Uganda-born assembly member and self-described democratic socialist, the endorsement was confirmation of what he has long argued: that Cuomo and Adams are "two illustrations of the same broken politics." In a statement, Mamdani didn't mince words. "Today confirms what we've long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams' second term," he said. "It's no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the President himself."
Mamdani has repeatedly linked both Adams and Cuomo to the Trump administration, pointing out that President Donald Trump—who has publicly called Mamdani a communist and threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if he wins—has openly wished for Adams to drop out and for support to coalesce around Cuomo. Adams' own legal troubles, stemming from a bribery indictment dismissed by the Department of Justice in spring 2025, led to several career federal prosecutors resigning in protest. Adams has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Cuomo has not been shy about attacking Mamdani on multiple fronts. He has criticized Mamdani's ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, his perceived lack of experience, and his comments regarding the Israel and Gaza conflict—which Cuomo has labeled antisemitic. Mamdani, for his part, has refuted these claims and pledged to work for all New Yorkers, including the city's Jewish population. The campaign has been marked by particularly sharp rhetoric, with Cuomo at one point calling Mamdani "an existential threat" and Adams labeling him a "snake-oil salesman."
The animosity reached a new peak during an October 23 radio interview with conservative host Sid Rosenberg, where Cuomo made a controversial remark that drew immediate backlash. When Rosenberg asked, "God forbid, another 9/11—can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?" Cuomo responded, seemingly chuckling, "Another problem." Mamdani, asked if he thought the comments were Islamophobic, responded unequivocally: "Yes, I believe that they were. We're speaking about a former governor who in his final moments in public life is engaging in rhetoric that is not only Islamophobic, not only racist, is also disgusting and is his final closing argument with less than two weeks before Election Day."
The controversy didn't end there. During the October 22 debate, Cuomo's campaign briefly posted an AI-generated video on social media, which depicted Mamdani's supporters in a series of negative and stereotypical roles—a move that was quickly condemned. The video, which began with a watermark stating it was AI-generated and ended with a "paid for by Cuomo for NYC" message, showed individuals characterized as criminals, shoplifters, and drug users, some adorned in culturally loaded attire. Cuomo's campaign later claimed the video was an unapproved draft posted by accident and deleted it, but the damage was done. Other AI-generated ads have since appeared, including one lampooning Mamdani's experience and another featuring a parody of former Mayor Bill de Blasio in the style of "Austin Powers."
Adams and Cuomo, both moderate Democrats, have made it clear that they see Mamdani's candidacy as a bridge too far for the city. Yet, Mamdani's rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After pulling off a surprise victory over Cuomo in the Democratic primary, he now leads in the polls by double digits, according to Reuters. His campaign has energized a coalition of progressive voters, young people, and immigrant communities, while drawing the ire of establishment figures and conservative critics alike.
The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa—a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels anti-crime group—has refused pressure from Cuomo to drop out and consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote. Sliwa's continued presence in the race adds another unpredictable element to an already volatile contest.
All this comes against the backdrop of a city still grappling with the aftereffects of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and persistent questions about public safety and inequality. Early voting begins on October 25, giving New Yorkers their first chance to weigh in on a race that has become a referendum not just on candidates, but on the very direction of the city itself.
As Election Day approaches, the contest remains fraught with tension, personal animosity, and high stakes. Whether Adams' endorsement will be enough to boost Cuomo's fortunes—or whether Mamdani's insurgent campaign will usher in a new era for New York—remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this is a mayoral race that no one in the city will soon forget.
