Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a sharp public warning on Wednesday, stating that if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of New York City, the city ‘will not survive’ due to the imposition of a socialist economy. During an interview on FOX Business’ ‘Morning with Maria,’ Cuomo, who is running as an Independent candidate in the New York City mayoral race, said the city’s current economic model could collapse under Mamdani’s leadership. This sentiment was echoed by the former governor during his remarks, which emphasized that the far left’s growing influence within the Democratic Party threatens the stability and future of the city.
Cuomo described the rise of radical left politicians, including figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as a growing threat to the Democratic Party. He stated that the party has been transformed into a battleground between ‘extreme left’ and ‘mainstream moderate Democrats,’ claiming that the latter now label him as ‘moderate’ instead of ‘liberal,’ reflecting an internal division. The former governor warned that if the far left becomes dominant, it could lead to the collapse of the Democratic Party as a whole, citing the broader context of the United States not being a socialist country. This argument highlights the tension within the party and the perceived threat to the party’s traditional appeal.
The mayoral race is increasingly framed as a contest over the direction of New York City and the Democratic Party. Cuomo described his campaign as a fight against the ‘quiet civil war’ of ideologies, asserting that the current trajectory could lead to a dangerous shift in the city’s governance. He outlined his three top priorities as safety, affordable housing, and attracting businesses back to the city, all of which he argued are necessary to counter the potential fallout of Mamdani’s policies. He proposed specific measures, including hiring 5,000 police officers and increasing salaries to address the high attrition rate within the department.
Cuomo also emphasized the need for building 100,000 affordable housing units, asserting that the low vacancy rate is the primary cause of high rents. The former governor highlighted that his past experience as governor of New York, which included rebuilding key infrastructure projects like LaGuardia Airport and the Second Avenue subway, positions him as capable of delivering on these promises. Finally, he called for a strong push to engage with businesses, promising to provide incentives to encourage them to remain or return to New York City.
Despite the intensity of Cuomo’s campaign, Mamdani maintains a narrow lead in recent polls, according to a Suffolk University survey, indicating that while the race is tight, the former governor is not yet out of the running. This situation has heightened the stakes for both candidates, as their campaign strategies increasingly reflect the broader ideological battle over the future direction of the Democratic Party and the city itself.