NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, of the Bronx, on Monday endorsed Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor, though the former governor hasn’t officially announced a run despite speculation he will soon.
Torres made the endorsement to the New York Post, telling the paper, “He has my endorsement as soon as he enters the race.”
“The two most important things we need are competence and courage,” the Democratic congressman said. “Andrew Cuomo has the competence to govern the city. He has the courage to stand up to extremist politics — both from the far left and far right.”
“We don’t need a Mr. Nice Guy. We need a Mr. Tough Guy,” Torres added, predicting Cuomo will be the “comeback story of 2025.”
The endorsement is a blow to Mayor Eric Adams, who has been battling for his political survival in recent months following a federal indictment and controversy over the Justice Department's move to dismiss the charges.
The petition process—when candidates start collecting signatures to be in the primary—begins Tuesday, and there's speculation Cuomo could announce a run in the days ahead.
A poll last month found Cuomo would “dominate” the 2025 mayoral race if he chose to run and is the top choice among Democratic voters across every race, age, gender and borough in a crowded primary field that includes over a half-dozen Democrats.
Torres himself has been floating a run for governor next year that would pit him against Gov. Kathy Hochul in the primary. Hochul has been governor since Cuomo resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations that he has denied. She was elected in 2022 and said she'll seek reelection in 2026.
Torres is just the latest endorsement Cuomo has received despite the fact he hasn't entered the race. Earlier this month, the Staten Island Democratic Party endorsed him, saying, “We believe Andrew Cuomo is the only proven leader with the track record of results and resolve to both navigate attacks from Washington and properly address the issues of corruption and deteriorating quality of life that our city faces today.”
On the Republican side, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa announced earlier this month that he was running again for mayor and quickly garnered a number of GOP endorsements.