Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Former Governor David Paterson has re-endorsed fellow former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, just one week before the election. Paterson initially supported Cuomo during the Democratic primary, but switched his endorsement to Mayor Eric Adams when Cuomo lost to Zohran Mamdani by 13 points. However, with Adams ending his re-election campaign, Paterson has returned to supporting Cuomo.
Paterson made his endorsement official at an event in the Bronx on Tuesday. Cuomo, running as an independent, is trailing Mamdani by double digits in the polls. The endorsement comes as Cuomo seeks to revitalize his campaign, having recently also secured an endorsement from Adams.
At the event, Paterson criticized Mamdani's platform, which includes promises of free buses, universal child care, and city-run grocery stores, stating, "We can’t make promises that we can’t keep." According to The New York Times, Paterson emphasized the importance of realistic goals in governance.
Cuomo, Adams, and Paterson presented themselves as the true representatives of the Democratic Party, contrasting their views with Mamdani's democratic socialist platform. As reported by City & State NY, Cuomo argued that Mamdani does not hold core Democratic values, stating, "He’s a socialist who happens to be on the Democratic line."
The endorsement adds another layer to the complex dynamics of the mayoral race, with Cuomo and Mamdani representing different factions within the Democratic Party. The election is set for next Tuesday (November 4), and the outcome remains uncertain as candidates vie for support from New York City's diverse electorate.
Photo Credit: Getty Images