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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the upcoming mayoral election. The announcement was made on Thursday during a joint event in East Harlem. Adams, who recently withdrew from his re-election campaign due to low polling numbers, declared his support for Cuomo despite their past conflicts. Adams previously referred to Cuomo as "a snake and a liar" but emphasized unity, stating, "Brothers fight, but when families are attacked, brothers come together."
Cuomo, running as an independent, is attempting to unseat Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, who leads in the polls. Adams criticized Mamdani as a "snake oil salesman" and warned that his policies could lead to increased crime and an exodus of wealthy residents from the city.
According to the Associated Press, Cuomo thanked Adams, describing him as a "real Democrat and a real New Yorker." The endorsement comes as Cuomo faces challenges due to past sexual harassment allegations, which led to his resignation as governor in 2021. Despite this, Cuomo remains optimistic about his campaign, stating, "If New Yorkers vote, I win."
Politico reports that Adams' endorsement could potentially boost Cuomo's standing, particularly in Black communities where Adams remains popular. However, Cuomo still trails Mamdani by a significant margin.
The New York Post notes that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is considering endorsing Mamdani, adding another layer of complexity to the race. With less than two weeks until the election on November 4, the impact of Adams' endorsement on Cuomo's campaign remains uncertain.
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