NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo hit the ground running with campaign stops around New York City this weekend after announcing his bid for mayor, while rallygoers gathered Sunday to protest his candidacy on the basis of the sexual harassment allegations that prompted his 2021 resignation as governor.
Cuomo, 67, spoke to the New York City District Council of Carpenters on Sunday to address his plan for the future of the city, which includes prioritizing public safety, lowering taxes for working families, building affordable housing and fighting antisemitism.
“More police in our high crime areas, more police to stop the number of recidivists. Because nothing works if people don’t feel safe, and public safety is still job one,” Cuomo said during his nearly 20-minute speech.
The former governor criticized fellow politicians in the race over claims they plan to cut police funding and jabbed at unnamed “democratic socialist candidates” who “released a wave of antisemitism through our city.”
“Are you ready to join me? Are you ready to save our city? Are you ready to make New York better than ever before?,” Cuomo asked the crowd. “Let’s do it, let’s do it together and let’s start now.”
Following his speech, both the carpenters’ union and the District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades—representing over 30,000 tradespeople, painters and artisans between them—endorsed Cuomo.
Carpenters’ union President Paul Capurso said in his endorsement statement that NYC needs Cuomo back because “When a crisis hit, we had a leader who didn’t care about pissing people off—as long as the job got done. That kind of leadership; that courage; that focus on the middle class, no matter what powerful interests stood in the way is what we need back at City Hall.”
Sunday’s speech came one day after Cuomo announced his candidacy in a 17-minute video, introducing himself as an accomplished moderate who could help the city, which he said “is in crisis.”
Cuomo was in the Bronx after his announcement Saturday and received the endorsement of Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia, who cited his previous work passing legislation to raise the minimum wage, protect tenants and keep streets safe.
Early polls indicate that Cuomo will run a formidable campaign, despite entering the race deeply wounded from the sexual harassment scandal that forced his resignation in August 2021.
A report from the state attorney general found he sexually harassed at least 11 women, while a separate investigation by the Department of Justice found that he subjected at least 13 state employees to a sexually hostile work environment, and that his staffers retaliated against those who complained.
Cuomo denounced the findings of the reports and maintained his innocence during his resignation.
The former governor was further damaged by allegations that his administration unintentionally contributed to a wave of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, despite being previously hailed for his leadership amid the pandemic.
A group of demonstrators gathered outside the carpenters’ union at the intersection of Hudson and Houston streets in Hudson Square on Sunday to protest against Cuomo with a rally dubbed “Women Say Hell No.”
The crowd chanted “Hell no Andrew Cuomo,” participated in read and repeat chants of testimonials by anonymous women who spoke up about the former governor’s alleged sexual misconduct and listened to speakers calling for better leaders in the city.
“We can do better, we deserve better and we deserve a leader who will protect New Yorkers, and not harm them,” one speaker said. “And it is time to get rid of Cuomo and keep him gone, he has no place back in our politics.”
Co-founder of Sexual Harassment Working Group Erica Vladimer emphasized Cuomo’s retaliation against the women who have levied sexual misconduct allegations against him, citing lawsuits against some of his accusers, and the dangers of having him and his supporters in office.
“The people that he hires are going to protect him,” Vladimer said. “They are going to enable him. They are going to shove you out of public service.”
Cuomo joins a crowded Democratic primary as candidates like NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former city Comptroller Scott Stringer vie to defeat Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection.
Adams, who remains under federal indictment on public corruption charges for now, told reporters Sunday that he invites Cuomo’s candidacy.
“I don’t know who said it, but it’s a famous quote, ‘Come one come all,’” he said. “We all gotta come out, we can’t hide in the shadows, we gotta come out and give our real positions, so I’m looking forward to it. This is campaign season.”
Lander scheduled an emergency press conference to denounce Cuomo entering the race for 2 p.m. Sunday. After Cuomo’s announcement Saturday, the comptroller dug at the former governor’s scandals and previous issues in NYC under his leadership.
“In honor of your sad attempt to get attention, let's remember your time as Governor of New York—before you resigned for sexually harassing 13 women and leading thousands of elderly New Yorkers to their deaths during Covid-19,” Lander wrote on social media.