NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Rumors of a 2025 mayoral bid by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been circulating for months, but on Thursday, a Politico report, citing six anonymous sources, claiming that the Democrat is leaning on a longtime ally to help shape his campaign, took that mayoral buzz to new heights.
Cuomo, according to the report, is expected to hire Charlie King, a consultant with a decades-long relationship with the former governor.
While Cuomo's spokesperson told 1010 WINS that the reports are “premature,” they pointed at the former governor’s record of accomplishments during his time in office, fueling speculation about his political ambitions.
1010 WINS reached out to Cuomo’s longtime spokesman Rich Azzopardi about the report, and he sent the following statement:
“This all remains premature, but Andrew Cuomo will always be a Queens boy who loves New York, is deeply concerned about its direction, and will always help any way he can. There is no denying that people all across New York miss Governor Cuomo’s proven leadership and have asked him to reenter public service because they know that for over a decade he fought for and successfully delivered for them, raising wages for millions of workers, building seemingly impossible infrastructure projects like LaGuaurdia airport, Moynihan train station and the 2nd Avenue subway and delivering progress where Washington faltered, including passing the strongest gun protections and paid family leave in the nation, and codifying Roe vs. Wade in state law before the Supreme Court overturned it, all while cutting taxes and reining in spending. I know I’ve been saying this for quite some time, but nothing has changed and neither apparently has the rumor mill in all its glory.”
Rumors of a 2025 mayoral bid by Cuomo have been circulating for months. The report also stated that the Democrat is considering launching his campaign in early February to meet critical deadlines for the election. Petitioning for ballot access begins on Feb. 25 and must be completed by April 3, with the Democratic primary set for June 24.
King and Cuomo’s relationship dates back to the 1990s, when King worked for Cuomo during his tenure as housing secretary in the Clinton administration. King also served as Cuomo's running mate in a 2002 gubernatorial bid and competed against him for the Democratic nomination for attorney general in 2006.
King did not deny the possibility of working on Cuomo’s potential campaign.
“As far as I know, there is no Cuomo campaign for mayor but should that change, I’m sure everyone will know who is on board,” he told Politico in a text message. “Judging by the unsolicited proposals and resumes that have flooded in, should the former governor decide to run, I’m sure he’ll have his pick.”
Polls released last fall indicate Cuomo—who resigned in August 2021 and was replaced by Gov. Kathy Hochul—is more popular than both Mayor Eric Adams and Hochul but that he also remains a divisive figure among voters after being elected to three terms as governor and leading the state's controversial COVID-19 response.
Adams faces a growing list of Democratic challengers after he was indicted on corruption charges. He has denied any wrongdoing and has said he intends to seek reelection. Like Cuomo, he is seen as a moderate Democrat among a field that includes many progressive-leaning candidates.
Among the Democrats running in the primary are city Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and former state Assemblyman Michael Blake. There are also many potential candidates, including former city Comptroller Scott Stringer and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie. U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres said this week he's exploring a run for governor but also hasn't ruled out a bid for mayor.