Greater than 160 Democratic lawmakers, officers and activists have drafted a letter to social gathering leaders opposing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s comeback bid for New York Metropolis mayor — and urging them to do the identical.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and 13 different liberal lawmakers, together with Democratic Socialist of America members, have been among the many signees to the letter, which comes little greater than every week after Cuomo formally jumped within the race and instantly attained frontrunner standing.
“After corruption circumstances derailed Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, New York Metropolis wants a mayor who will give attention to the wants of our metropolis, not his personal authorized battles, obsession with energy, and self-centered political comeback,” the draft letter, initiated by the progressive New Kings Democratic Membership mentioned.
The letter was signed by Metropolis Councilmember Tiffany Caban, State Sens. Julia Salazar and Jabari Brisport — and about 150 district leaders, state committee members, county committee members and Democratic golf equipment.
The cease Cuomo coalition didn’t say who they’re backing within the crowded June Democratic main for mayor.
The letter cited Cuomo’s baggage and scandals, together with his resignation as governor in 2021 — when he stepped down beneath the specter of impeachment following a slew of sexual misconduct accusations. Cuomo denies the claims.
The critics additionally cited investigations that concluded Cuomo deliberately undercounted 1000’s of COVID-19 deaths of nursing house residents, ensuing from his coverage of forcing nursing services to just accept recovering COVID sufferers discharged from hospitals.
In addition they complained that he used state sources to put in writing his $5 million profit-making guide about his management throughout the pandemic.
Cuomo maintained he acted appropriately and adopted the legislation.
“Now could be the time for Democratic leaders to indicate our constituents that we’re the social gathering of integrity, accountability, respect, transparency, and inclusivity,” the anti-Cuomo Democrats mentioned.
“We will need to have a imaginative and prescient for a brighter future primarily based on new concepts and contemporary considering, not nostalgia for a damaged period and failed management that created lots of the issues we face right now.”
“And we should govern in a method that builds belief and exhibits how authorities generally is a drive for good in individuals’s lives. the letter added.
“For these causes and extra, we oppose Andrew Cuomo’s marketing campaign for mayor of New York Metropolis, and we urge all of our Democratic colleagues to pledge the identical.”
Cuomo marketing campaign spokesman Wealthy Azzopardi dismissed the letter as an act of desperation.
“It’s a transparent, determined response to the governor, who’s solely been on this election for 10 days, main the endorsement race,” Azzopardi mentioned.
“New Yorkers see proper by way of these foolish astroturf stunts they usually know Andrew Cuomo had the file of accomplishments, the abilities and the expertise to save lots of this metropolis in disaster.”
Cuomo has rolled out quite a few endorsements in latest weeks, alarming critics throughout the social gathering to his surging institutional help.
The letter is being despatched Wednesday to state Democratic Social gathering chairman Jay Jacobs and the 5 county chairpersons — Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn of Brooklyn, Gregory Meeks of Queens, Keith Wright of Manhattan, Jamaal Bailey of The Bronx and Laura LoBianco Sword of Staten Island, mentioned Tony Melone, president of the New Kings Democratic Membership.
The Staten Island Democratic Social gathering has already endorsed Cuomo, as has former metropolis Comptroller Carl McCall, Bronx Rep. Rep. Ritchie Torres, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a string of labor unions.
“I don’t suppose Cuomo must be elected mayor. He has a foul file on public security,” mentioned former Brooklyn Councilman Sal Albanese.
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