Two is better than one.
Democratic mayoral candidates are now teaming up to thwart ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his comeback bid to win the Big Apple.
Democratic socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani encouraged his supporters Sunday to quit canvassing on his behalf — in a video posted to X — and instead donate to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ mayoral campaign.
“Usually this is the part of the video where I’d say, please canvas, please help us — but today I’m actually going to do something a little different,” Mamdani, who has consistently polled second to Cuomo in the primary race, tells voters.
“I’m asking you to donate to another candidate running for Mayor — Her name is Adrienne Adams.”
Adams, the Queens progressive (unrelated to Mayor Eric Adams), has not yet reported enough qualifying funds to be eligible for the city’s 8-to-1 match program through the campaign finance board — which rewards donations from verified private local donors with public dollars.
Mamdani warns his supporters, in the video, that Monday is the deadline for her to become eligible for the next round.
“Because we are all running for Mayor to defeat Andrew Cuomo, to defeat Eric Adams’ second term, which is what Andrew Cuomo is running for,” he said, proving his commitment to defeating the ex-gov at all costs. .
Adams entered the crowded field in early March — shortly after the disgraced governor announced his candidacy — at the urging of Cuomo rival, and attorney general, Letitia “Tish” James.
She has since been running a distant third in most polls, alongside fellow progressive and current City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Although largely considered a two-person race, some local politicos believe Adams may be able to capture some of Cuomo’s support in the outer boroughs — especially among Black voters.
“The one candidate who could dig into Cuomo’s support is Adrienne Adams,” said Basil Smikle, a campaign strategist and former executive director of the state Democratic Party.
And at 64, she may also be well-positioned in connecting with the older generation.
“Adrienne has doubled her support without spending a dime and is building the broadest coalition of any candidate in this race,” said Adams’ campaign spokesperson Lupe Todd-Medina. “She’s uniting all New Yorkers — and is now the first candidate in city history whose opponent chose to fundraise for her because her strength is undeniable.”
Half of Black Democratic primary voters, however, said they would support Cuomo, as did 41% of Latino voters — double the 20% support for Mamdani — according to a recent Marist poll.
Just 14% of Black Democrats polled said they would back Adams for mayor.
The primary will be a ranked choice vote, which could give other candidates hope in later rounds as the slate thins out — but the clock is ticking with the poll coming just one month before early voting begins for the June 24 election.
A win by Cuomo would cap his political return after he resigned as governor under the threat of impeachment in 2021 over sexual misconduct accusations he denies.
For Mamdani, veteran strategist Hank Sheinkopf said he’s “got to keep Cuomo under 50% in ranked choice voting,” a thought Mamdani echoed in a statement to The Post.
“[…]The outcome of this election will almost certainly be determined in multiple ranked-choice rounds. We need strong candidates in this race with the resources to overcome Cuomo’s MAGA billionaires, and that includes Speaker Adams,” Mamdani said.
Cuomo’s team fired back at the Democratic socialist’s video supporting Adams — citing his failure to show up to Sunday’s Israel Day parade in upper Manhattan — in a statement to The Post.
“As the Post just … reported on a video the Assembly member put together blasting legislators for going to Israel, I’m not at all surprised he filmed another video supporting the first speaker in history to never go to Israel,” said Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi.
“This city is in crisis, and Governor Cuomo is the only person in this race with the experience to lead and the proven record of results to get New York back on the right track, and that’s why he has built a broad coalition of support that reflects our great city,” he added.
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