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Cuomo on the Cusp of a Comeback in NYC
CNN One Thing
Jun 22, 2025
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was praised by Democrats in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic for his strong and steady leadership. A little more than a year later, he had resigned in disgrace following multiple sexual harassment allegations (he denied wrongdoing). Now, he is attempting an unlikely political comeback in New York City. We break down the June 24 mayoral primary and how it could impact the city’s standing with the Trump administration.
Guests: Gloria Pazmino, CNN Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Episode Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Episode Transcript
David Rind
00:00:03
When President Donald Trump sent in National Guard troops to Los Angeles to deal with immigration enforcement protests, California Governor Gavin Newsom was pissed. But so was the mayor of LA, Karen Bass.
Mayor Karen Bass
00:00:16
This was not needed. The idea that the administration would usurp the authority of our state government
David Rind
00:00:23
Because now federal troops were on her streets and they were her problem.
Mayor Karen Bass
00:00:27
The real solution of all of this is for the administration to stop the raids.
David Rind
00:00:33
She spoke out forcefully against Trump and is continuing to do so as immigration raids continue there. Other Democratic mayors in big blue cities have found themselves on the front lines of dealing with the Trump administration and have been on the receiving end of Trump's threats. So with that as the backdrop, what happens when America's largest city goes to pick a new mayor? Well, we're about to find out. My guest is CNN's Gloria Pazmino. We're gonna explain how disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo has found himself at the top of the polls in New York City and what it could mean for the Democratic Party if he wins. From CNN, this is One Thing. I'm David Rind. Stick with us.
David Rind
00:01:27
So Gloria, there's a mayoral primary here in New York City on Tuesday, and I can practically hear listeners screaming at their phones saying, I don't live in New York City. I don't care. So let me ask you, why is this such a big deal?
Gloria Pazmino
00:01:40
That's a really fair and good question. And certainly everyone running in this race would say, well, look, this is the biggest city in the United States. It is a major blue city and a very blue state. And part of what the campaign has been defined by is how the next mayor of the city of New York is going to respond to the Trump administration. That is big cities that are led by Democrats. Certainly in the last few years, have been a punching bag for Republicans and for President Trump. And also, you know, there's a really big name that I think most listeners will certainly be familiar with, and that is Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, who is running in race and leading in many of the polls.
David Rind
00:02:31
Well, yeah, so he was former governor of New York like during COVID, I remember, but I thought he resigned in disgrace. Like what happened?
Gloria Pazmino
00:02:38
He did he was forced to resign after really having this sort of high moment at the height of COVID, you know, leading the state of New York through COVID during the Trump administration.
Andrew Cuomo
00:02:58
A number of cases still going up. We're all in search of the apex and the other side of the mountain.
Gloria Pazmino
00:03:06
'You might remember his daily COVID briefings, which at one point during the pandemic were something that people were watching every day, even if they-
David Rind
00:03:15
'Yeah, this was like must-see TV, such as it was during the early days of the pandemic.
Gloria Pazmino
00:03:19
Exactly. I mean, they were being taken live by most television networks.
Shimon Prokupecz
00:03:25
In battle, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing mounting pressure. President Joe Biden joining a growing number of Democrats calling on Cuomo to resign.
Gloria Pazmino
00:03:35
And so he was really at this sort of peak of his career and his national profile. And all of that came crashing down.
Shimon Prokupecz
00:03:42
After a damning report released by the state attorney general found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women and created a quote, hostile work environment for women.
Andrew Cuomo
00:03:54
Know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.
Gloria Pazmino
00:04:05
Eventually resulting in his resignation.
Andrew Cuomo
00:04:09
Given the circumstances. The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing. And therefore, that's what I'll do.
Gloria Pazmino
00:04:24
He spent a few years sort of quietly in the background, but certainly in the last year and a half to two years, we have seen him prepare for what we all knew would be this eventual mayoral campaign.
David Rind
00:04:39
Yeah, so how did he get to this point where he thought, yes, I resigned after all these very serious allegations, but I might have a path here in New York City?
Gloria Pazmino
00:04:49
So there's a lot of, I think, different important factors that determine whether Andrew Cuomo is going to throw his hat into the race or not. And one big one is, of course, the current mayor, Eric Adams.
Mayor Eric Adams
00:05:00
This fellow New Yorkers, today finally marks the end of this chapter.
Gloria Pazmino
00:05:08
Remember, he's had the past year of controversy, right?
David Rind
00:05:12
We could do a whole nother podcast on that.
Gloria Pazmino
00:05:13
Exactly. He was federally indicted, he was almost going to be going to trial, then the Trump administration moves in and dismisses the charges.
Mayor Eric Adams
00:05:22
As I said, all along, this case should have never been brought, and I did nothing wrong.
Gloria Pazmino
00:05:33
While all of this was playing out, Andrew Cuomo was in the background, sort of waiting to see what would happen because once upon a time, Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomho were actually allies and they actually go after very similar voters, sort of middle of the road, more moderate Democrats. So it was always gonna be an issue if the two of them were running in the same race. It's important to mention that the current mayor, Eric Adams... Made a decision not to run in the Democratic primary. He is choosing to run as an independent in the general election. And part for his reasoning was that he had to spend so many months and so much effort fighting his criminal case that he didn't have the time or the money to actually focus on a primary campaign, which is why he decided to run as an Independent in the general.
David Rind
00:06:28
Well so how has it been going for Cuomo now that he's back on the scene?
Andrew Cuomo
00:06:32
I'm Andrew Cuomo. Let me start by telling you what you already know. New York City is the greatest city in the world.
Gloria Pazmino
00:06:41
So it's interesting to watch Cuomo run for mayor in New York City, which I would describe as a full contact sport, right? You want to see the candidate out there. You want see him really hitting the pavement, shaking the hands, kissing the babies. And this is something that Cuomo historically has not been very good at.
Andrew Cuomo
00:07:05
And we know that today our New York City is in trouble. You feel it when you walk down the street and try not to make eye contact with a mentally ill homeless person, or when the anxiety rises up in your chest as you're walking down into the subway.
Gloria Pazmino
00:07:22
'And he's also kind of kept his distance from the press corps, which covers him every day. And part of the reason for that is because he doesn't want to have to answer every single time about the accusations. He doesn't really want to make the argument over and over that he's seeking redemption, even though that is very much a part of his campaign. I would say that the main thrust of his campaigns has been that he has the experience and the government expertise to run a place like New York City, which is, you know, not only the biggest city in the country, but has 300,000 municipal employees. And he has made the argument that he has the experience and the know-how to do that.
David Rind
00:08:08
Well, so who's running against him?
Gloria Pazmino
00:08:09
So, there's a total of 11 candidates seeking the Democratic nomination. It's a pretty crowded field, but I would say that the other candidate that has been getting the most attention is State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
Zohran Mamdani
00:08:24
My team says I move my hands too much in these videos. So for this one, they're staying in my pockets.
Gloria Pazmino
00:08:28
He has sort of captured the left feel in this campaign. He identifies himself as a democratic socialist.
Zohran Mamdani
00:08:38
We have a choice between Andrew Cuomo, funded by the same billionaires who put Donald Trump back in the White House, and our campaign, who will tax billionaires to make the city affordable. It's a referendum on where our party goes.
Gloria Pazmino
00:08:48
He is a liberal candidate who has really, I would say, captured a lot of the energy among the city's youngest voters.
Man
00:08:58
This guy's going to freeze the rent.
Zohran Mamdani
00:09:01
It's true. As your next mayor...I will freeze your rent.
Ad
00:09:05
Paid for by Zoran for NYC.
Gloria Pazmino
00:09:10
'He's launched a very energetic, very online campaign. Whether that is enough to put him over the finish line after the primary remains to be seen, he is seen as an extremely left-leaning liberal candidate in a moment where I think a lot of cities are concerned about those types of policies, and we've seen a shift to the right in many places.
David Rind
00:09:48
Well, since Andrew Cuomo is the front runner, at least according to what polls have been out there up to this point, how has this very credit field messaged against him?
Gloria Pazmino
00:09:58
So that's a really good question, and I think everyone kind of struggled to get their footing in the beginning, but I would say that the overwhelming message from Cuomo's opponents, those who are running against him in this race, is essentially that New York City is in a real moment of need, right? That there is an affordability crisis, that the Trump administration is something that public officials here in New York city need to respond to. And so that This is not the time for Cuomo to just use this as a platform to make his comeback.
Brad Lander
00:10:33
The valedictorian is going to come work at the Department of Homeless Services. I don't want to have to tell her, don't go work at City Hall because the mayor is a sexual harasser.
Gloria Pazmino
00:10:46
There was a final debate a few nights ago where we saw all the candidates, you know, kind of make their final pitch to New Yorkers, right? This was the final televised debate before the election.
Andrew Cuomo
00:10:58
'Those are just bold-faced lies
Gloria Pazmino
00:11:02
So it was clear that Cuomo was focused on attacking Brad Lander. By the way, we haven't even mentioned him. He's the current city comptroller.
Andrew Cuomo
00:11:10
Mr. Lander, in his experience, remember, this was the fiscal watchdog under the Eric Adams administration, which was like the bookkeeper at Tammany Hall.
Gloria Pazmino
00:11:19
Brad Lander and Zorhan Mamdani was where Cuomo's attention was focused, while they were focused on attacking Andrew Cuomo.
Zohran Mamdani
00:11:29
Mr. Cuomo, I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid.
Gloria Pazmino
00:11:35
Attacking his previous scandals, attacking the way that he managed the state of New York. You know, it's not just about the sexual harassment scandals.
Zohran Mamdani
00:11:43
'And I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo. And furthermore, the name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A N-I. You should learn...
Gloria Pazmino
00:11:52
And I think they tried over and over throughout that debate to really paint him as a figure of the past, right? A politician of an era that New York City should have in its rear view mirror not looking forward to.
Andrew Cuomo
00:12:07
Mr. Mondani's right. He's never done anything, period. This is a man who passed.
Zohran Mamdani
00:12:14
Just say the name right, Mamdani.
Andrew Cuomo
00:12:15
This is man who has done nothing.
Gloria Pazmino
00:12:19
Cuomo, I think, you know, did a good job of reminding New Yorkers that as popular as he is and as much attention as he's gotten from young voters, is a relatively inexperienced public official.
Andrew Cuomo
00:12:31
He's never dealt with a natural emergency. He's ever dealt with the hurricane, with a flood, etc. He's not ever done any of the essentials, and now you have Donald Trump on top of all of that, and he's never deal with what I think is the greatest national threat that we face in this president. To put a person in this seat at this time with no experience is reckless and dangerous.
David Rind
00:13:02
Yeah, I mean, mayoral races by definition obviously are local. You have these issues like the subway running on time, affordable housing, stuff that affects everybody, but these national issues are taking such outsized importance, especially these days with the Trump administration and how it interacts with these blue cities on immigration. And that seems to be a big focus as well.
Gloria Pazmino
00:13:25
Yeah, and we saw the issue of immigration really come into focus this week during the campaign with the arrest of Comptroller Brad Lander.
Brad Lander
00:13:35
Do you have a judicial warrant? Keep going, push! Do you Have a judicial warrants? Can I see the judicial warrant?!
Gloria Pazmino
00:13:43
He was arrested inside of the federal building in Manhattan after he tried to escort a migrant who had just come out of a court hearing and was about to be arrested by federal officials.
Officials
00:13:58
Take it back! Take it! Take the bag back!
Gloria Pazmino
00:14:01
And Lander says that he was trying to bring attention to this issue of migrants having to go into court hearings without really much support and not understanding that their cases are being dismissed and that once their cases are dismissed, they're subject to deportation and arrest outside of the doors of that courtroom.
Brad Lander
00:14:22
All I was trying to do was the things I had done the prior two weeks of just accompany people out to safety. That was my goal today. I sure did not go with any intention of getting arrested. What I want...
Gloria Pazmino
00:14:34
A lot of people have said, really, give me a break, we're days away from a primary election, this looks like a political stunt. You know, I've been covering New York City politics for a little over 15 years, and I would say that there's always a little bit of theater going on, but in the era of Trump, as we continue to see his immigration crackdown, I do think it's an important issue for cities to grapple with, and people want to know how local leaders are want to respond.
David Rind
00:15:03
Yeah, how far you're willing to go, whether it's just strongly worded statements or being willing to show up to a courthouse and perhaps risk arrest.
Gloria Pazmino
00:15:11
Correct. And not only is this a very crowded field with 11 candidates who are seeking the nomination, but we also have this other factor to consider, and that is that this is a ranked choice election. That's something that not a lot of people are familiar with. Not a lot cities do their elections this way. But what it essentially means is that voters Do not have to pick one candidate, they are able to go into the polling booth and actually rank a maximum of five people based on their preference. And that dynamic just introduces a whole other kind of energy into the race because you have candidates in these last days leading up to Tuesday, making strategic decisions. They're cross endorsing each other. Uh... They're telling people do not rank candidate A or B.
David Rind
00:16:10
So they're saying like leave this person in this spot, this other person, don't even rank them at all because that could help them if they accumulate enough second place
Gloria Pazmino
00:16:20
That's why those alliances and those strategic cross endorsements are so critical because there is a world in the rank choice way of doing things where a number two candidate could eventually end up being the winner of the race.
David Rind
00:16:38
Yeah, and of course, whoever wins the Democratic nomination is almost surely to beat the Republican in November's general election, this being New York and all. But because of the way the ballot works in New York, you can actually see candidates who don't win the Democratic Nomination on Tuesday run again on different party lines, which could make the general election very, very interesting for the first time in a long time. Well, Gloria, we'll be watching for the results on Tuesday. Thank you.
Gloria Pazmino
00:17:03
Thank you.
David Rind
00:17:12
One Thing is a production of CNN Audio. This episode was produced by Paola Ortiz and me, David Rind. Our senior producers are Felicia Patinkin and Faiz Jamil. Matt Dempsey is our production manager. Dan Dzula is our technical director and Steve Lickteig is the executive producer of CNN Audio. We get support from Alex Manasseri, Mark Duffy, Robert Mathers, John Dianora, Leni Steinhardt, Jamus Andrest, Nicole Pesaru and Lisa Namerow. Special thanks to Wendy Brundidge. Just a reminder, if this is your first time here in the show, first of all, welcome. Second of all make sure you follow the show wherever you listen. Hit the follow button so that a new episode will pop up every Wednesday and Sunday when we post so you don't miss it. Don't want anybody missing out on anything. I'll talk to you later.
