'in It To Win It': Cuomo Refuses To Back Down In Heated Nyc Mayoral Race Against Zohran Mamdani

Andrew Cuomo says he's going nan distance.

The erstwhile three-term New York governor, who past period was defeated by double digits by antiauthoritarian socialist Zohran Mamdani successful New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, connected Monday announced he will proceed his wide predetermination bid as an independent candidate.

"Only 13% of New Yorkers voted successful nan June primary. The wide predetermination is successful November and I americium successful it to triumph it," Cuomo declared successful a video posted to societal media.

And Cuomo charged that "My opponent, Mr. Mamdani offers slick slogans but nary existent solutions."

CUOMO, ADAMS TRADE SHOTS OVER WHO SHOULD DROP OUT IN RACE AGAINST MAMDANI FOR NYC MAYOR

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani emerged arsenic nan frontrunners successful New York City's mayoral primary. (AP/Reuters)

Mamdani's superior triumph complete Cuomo and 9 different candidates 3 weeks agone rocked nan Democratic Party, and boosted nan Ugandan-born 33-year-old authorities assemblyman from Queens toward becoming nan first Muslim politician of nan nation's astir populous city.

MAMDANI OFFICIALLY WINS NYC DEM PRIMARY BY 12 POINTS OVER CUOMO, WHO'S STAYING IN THE RACE FOR NOW

Mamdani surged to a superior triumph acknowledgment to an energetic run that put a awesome attraction connected affordability and New York City's precocious costs of living.

Mamdani made smart usage of societal media platforms, including TikTok, arsenic he engaged low-propensity voters. He projected eliminating fares to thrust New York City's immense autobus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents connected municipal housing, offering "free childcare" for children up to property 5, and mounting up government-run market stores.

And acknowledgment successful portion to nan efforts of a monolithic grassroots service of volunteers, he rode a activity of support from younger and progressive voters to catapult into first spot complete Cuomo, who was nan frontrunner.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo acknowledges that Zohran Mamdani won nan New York City Democratic Party mayoral superior connected June 24, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser - Fox News)

"Unless you've been surviving nether a rock, you astir apt cognize that nan Democratic superior did not spell nan measurement I had hoped," said Cuomo, nan erstwhile three-term politician who resigned from agency successful 2021 amid aggregate scandals.

Cuomo, who is gunning for a governmental comeback, noted that "as my grandfather utilized to say, erstwhile you get knocked down, study nan instruction and prime yourself backmost up and get successful nan game. And that is what I'm going to do. The conflict to prevention our metropolis isn't over."

At an endorsement arena connected Monday, Mamdani reacted to Cuomo's move.

"I invited everyone to this race, and I americium arsenic assured arsenic I person been since 3 weeks agone connected superior night," he said.

Zohran Mamdani speaks to supporters during an predetermination nighttime gathering connected June 24, 2025, successful nan Queens borough successful New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

"I deliberation he's struggling to travel to position pinch what Tuesday meant," Mamdani added. "We spent an full run being told that it was inevitable for Andrew Cuomo to go nan adjacent mayor, and he believed that himself."

Mamdani besides trolled nan erstwhile politician connected Monday, responding to a photograph of Cuomo filming his run video.

"We sewage him making man connected nan thoroughfare videos pinch a feline successful Carhartt. By adjacent week, he'll beryllium sipping adeni chai and eating khaliat al nahl," Mamdani said successful reference to his ain viral run videos.

The announcement by Cuomo came arsenic nary awesome surprise.

While he acknowledged Mamdani's triumph successful nan primary, Cuomo near nan doorway unfastened to a November tally arsenic an independent candidate, which predetermination rules successful New York authorities permit.

Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a property convention astatine City Hall, Dec. 12, 2024, successful New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

And precocious past month, Cuomo fto walk a deadline for candidates who had already qualified to tally arsenic independents to diminution that independent ballot line.

But sources told Fox News astatine nan clip that Cuomo had not committed yet to moving an progressive wide predetermination run done nan summertime and into nan autumn.

In heavy bluish New York City, nan Democratic superior victor is mostly favored to triumph nan wide election. If Mamdani wins successful November, he will beryllium nan first Muslim and millennial politician of New York City. 

Also connected nan wide predetermination ballot is Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped his superior bid earlier this twelvemonth amid sinking canvass numbers successful nan aftermath of galore controversies.

Adams is moving arsenic an independent.

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Also connected nan ballot successful nan wide predetermination are Jim Walden, a erstwhile national charismatic moving arsenic an independent, and Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who, for a 2nd consecutive election, is nan Republican mayoral nominee.