Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced his intention to run for New York City mayor yesterday, jumping into a crowded primary race defined to date by incumbent Eric Adams' (D) ongoing legal challenges. Cuomo enters the race as a significant favorite to capture the party's nomination, polling at 38% and leading the second-place candidate by 26 points. Adams sits in third at 10%.
The effort is an attempt at a political comeback for Cuomo, who resigned from the governorship in 2021 over allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. A Justice Department probe that ended last year found he harassed 13 women over an eight-year span—though Cuomo denied ever intentionally mistreating any of the accusers. Prior to his resignation, Cuomo's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic received early criticism but ultimately led to rising popularity, and his approval rating reached as high as 66% in July 2020 (but he exited with 38% approval).
Primaries are scheduled for June 24, ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.
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