I’ll recap Bloomberg’s fresh endorsement of Andrew Cuomo, explain the polling picture with Zohran Mamdani in the lead, outline Cuomo’s unusual independent comeback after his resignation, note Eric Adams’ late intervention, and cover the roles of Curtis Sliwa and prominent GOP backers pushing for consolidation in the race.
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg stepped back into the middle of a crowded mayoral contest to publicly reaffirm his support for Andrew Cuomo as early voting gets underway. Bloomberg framed his backing around experience and management, arguing those traits matter when the city faces big, immediate problems. For anyone worried about chaos in City Hall, Bloomberg made a clear, blunt case for steady hands.
Bloomberg’s statement on social media was unambiguous: “Four months ago I endorsed @AndrewCuomo because I thought his management experience and government know-how made him the best choice for New Yorkers. I still do. And today, with early voting underway, I wanted to reiterate my support for Andrew Cuomo.” He added an argument about the sheer difficulty of the job, and why experience counts in a town that seems to have lost its compass.
“Being Mayor of New York City is the second toughest job in America, and the next mayor will face immense challenges.” Those words are meant to land with voters who prize competence over ideology. Bloomberg insisted, “Andrew Cuomo has the experience and toughness to stand up for New Yorkers and get things done. I hope you will join me in supporting him.”
Meanwhile, polling shows Zohran Mamdani holding a significant advantage despite the renewed attention on Cuomo. The Suffolk survey puts Mamdani well ahead with roughly mid-40s support among likely voters, while Cuomo has gained ground into the mid-30s after the primary loss and his pivot to an independent bid. The gap has narrowed since earlier polls, but Mamdani still leads by a clear margin, which has opponents scrambling.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive state lawmaker from Queens and a self-identified democratic socialist, shocked many in June by winning the Democratic nomination over a crowded field. His rise transformed the general election into a stark contrast over direction and priorities for the city, forcing both moderate and conservative voters to weigh how big a shift they are willing to accept. His appeal among energized left-leaning voters remains strong, but his policies alarm many who worry about safety and economic stability.
Andrew Cuomo’s candidacy is unusual and combustible: he resigned as governor in 2021 amid scandal, lost the Democratic primary, then re-entered the race as an independent. That trajectory has made him a polarizing figure, but also positioned him as the main challenger to Mamdani for voters who want a different path. Bloomberg’s endorsement is aimed squarely at consolidating those who prefer proven administration over experimental shifts.
Former Mayor Eric Adams’ late move to endorse Cuomo and his own decision to withdraw from active campaigning sent ripples through the race. Adams had briefly been running as an independent himself before bowing out, and his backing was designed to blunt Mamdani’s momentum and rally moderates. With early voting active, timing matters, and Adams’ intervention is a clear sign of the stakes everyone perceives.
On the Republican flank, Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa remains the party’s nominee but has struggled to gain traction, polling in the low double digits. Republicans and conservative billionaires have been pressing Sliwa to step aside to create a clearer head-to-head contest between Cuomo and Mamdani. John Catsimatidis, a prominent GOP figure in the city, has been among those urging consolidation so Republican energy can be focused on defeating the democratic socialist wave.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Cuomo has sharpened attacks on Mamdani, warning voters about disorder if a dramatic leftward shift takes hold at City Hall. For Republicans, and many independents, the question is pragmatic: who can protect public safety, restore services, and stabilize the economy? Bloomberg’s voice, and the moves by Adams and Catsimatidis, make this election feel less like a three-way free-for-all and more like a referendum on experience versus experimentation.
