A coalition of black Queens legislators backed ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comeback bid for mayor over Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — and didn’t even hassle to rank incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, it was revealed Saturday.
The endorsement by the 8-member group is a coup for Cuomo, a setback for Adrienne Adams, and stinging rebuke of town’s second black mayor.
Nearly all of metropolis and state lawmakers — almost all of whom are from or close to the speaker’s turf in southeast Queens — put Cuomo as their first selection in a ranked selection voting Democratic major.
“The tried comeback from Andrew Cuomo is nothing wanting outstanding,” coalition member state Sen. James Sanders mentioned Saturday.
However most additionally ranked Adrienne Adams second, a comfort prize however nonetheless a present of help.
No different candidate was rated, however some within the group mentioned Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie was ranked third, whereas others didn’t rank him.
The group interviewed eight mayoral candidates final weekend earlier than making a choice.
“We requested the candidates, `Who may take us out of this disaster in New York Metropolis? Who’s finest to steer us by means of these troubled waters,’” Sanders instructed The Put up.
Sanders mentioned Adrienne Adams was damage by her late entry into the race, which got here two weeks in the past. Cuomo introduced his candidacy on March 1 however had a longstanding shadow marketing campaign — and its viability is what received over the coalition, Sanders mentioned.
“There’s no query that if Speaker Adams had entered the race earlier she might need been our first selection. The merciless arithmetic of the marketing campaign favors those that enter the race earlier,” he mentioned.
The first can be held June 24 preceded by every week of early voting.
Sanders’ backing of Cuomo raised eyebrows, since he confirmed up and spoke at Adrienne Adams’ latest marketing campaign kickoff for mayor. And Adrienne Adams’ spokeswoman, Lupe Todd, identified Sanders didn’t simply present up on the speaker’s marketing campaign rally kickoff.
“That’s actually wealthy coming from an elected official who confirmed up at Adrienne’s announcement and spoke for 17 minutes,” mentioned Todd.
The Cuomo marketing campaign has warily eyed the doorway of Adrienne Adams, who’s is black and never associated to the mayor, into the race for Metropolis Corridor as a possible menace to siphon off African-American votes within the major.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 beneath the specter of impeachment amid sexual misconduct accusations that he denies.
His scandal-ridden third time period because the state’s chief govt — significantly his dealing with of the COVID-19 pandemic — got here up through the interview, lawmakers mentioned.
However Cuomo’s total file as governor and managerial expertise overrode the negatives, mentioned Assemblyman Clyde Vanel.
“Cuomo is an impressive supervisor and visionary chief. He’s somebody we want going ahead ,” Vanel mentioned.
Vanel emphasised that rating Adrienne Adams can also be a “large deal” in a ranked selection major, although he acknowledged others would view it as a detrimental, with the speaker not even having united help in her personal yard.
State Sen. Leroy Comrie acknowledged Cuomo was the primary selection of the coalition, however the vote wasn’t unanimous.
“The group supported Cuomo, I didn’t. I dissented. I help Adrienne,” Comrie mentioned.
The screening committee additionally included Meeting members Khaleel Anderson, Lorinda Hooks and Alicia Hyndman and Councilwomen Selvena Brooks Powers and Nantasha Williams.
“It’s unhappy to see elected officers help a former governor who underfunded faculties and closed hospitals in Southeast Queens,” mentioned Todd.
“From the beginning, we knew the Cuomo camp would use strain and intimidation as a result of Adrienne is the largest menace to his comeback tour. In the event that they need to waste time taking part in politics, so be it,” she added.
Different candidates interviewed had been Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, Comptroller Brad Lander and his predecessor, Scott Stringer; Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Assemblyman Michael Blake.
The Cuomo marketing campaign didn’t remark.
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