Former President Bill Clinton endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for New York mayor two days before the primary election.
Cuomo is campaigning in his first election that will be determined by ranked choice voting. In New York, only city elections are determined this way, as state elections go to the person with the most votes. On Tuesday, New Yorkers will rank up to five candidates out of the 11 running for the post.
The former governor is combating a “Don’t Rank Cuomo” campaign mainly stemming from supporters of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who are urging voters not to rank Cuomo to diminish his chances of advancing in the runoff rounds. Mamdani opted to endorse City Comptroller Brad Lander, who endorsed Mamdani to encourage their supporters to rank them in the top two to secure a runoff between them.
Clinton joined Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in endorsing Cuomo, an establishment figure. Bloomberg donated some $8.3 million to his campaign, and the former president recorded a robocall to sway potential voters.
“He’s a fighter who knows how to make government work, and at a time when our basic rights are under assault, I know he’ll stand up and protect the people of this city,” Clinton says in the recording.
Cuomo served as Clinton’s secretary of housing and urban development during his second term. After his service, Cuomo went on to run for governor in 2002 but ultimately pulled out. He eventually found success in 2010, serving for 10 years as governor until a shroud of sexual harassment allegations pushed him to leave office, a decision he said he regrets.
“I am honored to be endorsed by President @BillClinton — a personal mentor, friend and hero,” Cuomo wrote Sunday on X. “His belief that change is not only possible but is the foundational work of government inspires me in every action I take.”
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Meanwhile, Mamdani has the endorsements of more progressive politicians such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has earned the endorsements of Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) opted not to endorse any candidate ahead of the race. Attorney General Letitia James, however, came out strong against Cuomo during a rally Sunday, asking voters not to “engage in amnesia,” as she was behind the report that found 11 women had accusations against the then-governor. James revealed her ranked choices were Adrienne Adams, Lander, Mamdani, and Zellnor Myrie.
