Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will remain on the New York City mayoral ballot this November, confirmed a source close to his campaign. Cuomo has qualified to run on the independent Fight and Deliver ballot line, a strategic move aimed at reaching voters who may feel disillusioned with the Democratic Party. This announcement was first reported by ABC News.
Cuomo successfully qualified for the Fight and Deliver ballot line in May through an independent nominating petition submitted to the New York City Board of Elections. His initial plan was to appear on both the Democratic Party and the Fight and Deliver lines during the general election, contingent on winning the Democratic primary. However, he conceded to state assemblymember Zohran Mamdani during the primary elections held on Tuesday.
Despite conceding the Democratic primary, Cuomo has decided not to withdraw from the independent ballot line. However, he has yet to determine if he will actively campaign in the months leading up to the election. Speaking to his supporters on Tuesday night, Cuomo acknowledged the outcome, stating, "Tonight was not our night; tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani's night… He deserved it. He won." He emphasized the need to evaluate the situation before making further decisions.
According to the New York State Board of Elections calendar, candidates have until the end of Friday, June 27, to withdraw from running on an independent ballot line they have qualified for. A source revealed that Cuomo is analyzing various data points, including the fact that the New York City Board of Elections will begin releasing ranked-choice voting tabulations on July 1.
In an interview with CBS 2 New York, Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to the independent line. "So I have that independent line. I qualified for that. And I'm on that line in November," he stated. He also expressed the importance of assessing the primary results and understanding the different dynamics that will be at play in the general election.
Cuomo's candidacy for mayor marks a notable moment, coming four years after he resigned as governor amidst multiple allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. Although he has consistently denied these allegations, he recently expressed regret over his resignation in an interview with The New York Times.
As the mayoral race heats up, incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams has officially launched his reelection campaign, also running as an independent in the upcoming election. Additionally, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Jim Walden are set to appear on the ballot in November, further complicating the electoral landscape.
