Eric Adams is throwing his support behind Andrew Cuomo in the heated New York City mayoral race — a stunning about-face from the same mayor who just weeks ago called his onetime rival “a snake and a liar.”
The endorsement, first reported by the New York Times, comes as Cuomo scrambles to gain ground on frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, with less than two weeks before voters head to the polls. Adams and Cuomo were spotted sitting courtside together at Wednesday night’s Knicks game, fueling speculation that a truce had been reached after months of hostility.
Adams confirmed to the Times that he plans to actively campaign with Cuomo, emphasizing the need to reach minority neighborhoods he once represented. “It is imperative to really wake up the Black and brown communities that have suffered from gentrification on how important this race is,” he said.
Whether Adams’ backing can change the trajectory of the race remains uncertain. Cuomo, running as an independent, is trailing Mamdani by double digits in most polls. Adams, who exited the race in late September after a stagnant campaign, had consistently ranked last among major candidates.
The two men’s relationship had grown toxic during the campaign, culminating in Adams labeling Cuomo “a snake and a liar.” Adams had also accused the ex-governor of undermining his fundraising efforts by spreading rumors that he was preparing to bow out.
Todd Shapiro, who previously served as Adams’ campaign spokesperson, declined to respond to questions about the endorsement. When pressed about Adams and Cuomo being seen together at Madison Square Garden, Shapiro quipped that “the only endorsement Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams made that night was for the Knicks,” adding, “when the mayor makes a mayoral campaign endorsement, he’ll announce it.”
Cuomo, 67, launched his independent run after losing to Mamdani, 34, in the Democratic primary by more than twelve points. According to a recent Fox News poll, Mamdani holds 49% of the vote among registered voters, with Cuomo at 28% and Republican Curtis Sliwa trailing at 13%. Prediction markets also reflect those odds, with Polymarket giving Mamdani a 93% chance of victory compared to just 6% for Cuomo.
{Matzav.com}
