The race for New York City's top office intensified Monday as Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani escalated his criticism of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo following Mayor Eric Adams' unexpected withdrawal from the contest.
Mamdani framed the November election as a two-person race after Adams suspended his re-election campaign on Sunday, telling reporters that Cuomo represents a "record of broken promises, a record of disgrace," according to Fox News. The Democratic nominee accused Cuomo of planning to "clear the way" for President Donald Trump's agenda in New York City.
The latest Fox News survey shows Mamdani leading with 45% support among registered New York City voters, while Cuomo trails with 27%. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa holds 11%, and Adams garnered 8% before suspending his campaign.
Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi responded sharply to Mamdani's criticism, calling the Democratic nominee a liar. He said Mamdani owes voters an explanation for calling the NYPD racist and a threat to public safety.
The Cuomo campaign defended the former governor's record, stating that Mamdani is hiding from his own controversial positions. Azzopardi pointed to Mamdani's pledge to decriminalize prostitution and his plan to deploy social workers instead of police officers for domestic violence calls.
The campaign also addressed Mamdani's criticism of Cuomo's 2011 decision to cut funding for the Advantage rental assistance program. They called it "a moot issue that happened 14 years ago" during a $10 billion budget shortfall, noting that funding has since been replaced and increased through other programs.
Mamdani hosted a news conference Monday featuring Kasha Phillips-Lewis, a New Yorker who said she became homeless after Cuomo eliminated $65 million from the Advantage program in 2011. The Democratic nominee used the example to illustrate what he called the "cruelty" of Cuomo's past decisions.
"We are talking about someone whose life was upended because of Andrew Cuomo's decision to cut $65 million from the Advantage program," Mamdani told reporters. He emphasized that the cut came from a state budget exceeding $100 billion at the time.
Mamdani argued that homelessness results from political choices rather than natural circumstances. He said Cuomo's record demonstrates decisions made in Albany without consideration for New York City residents.
President Trump entered the mayoral fray Monday through a Truth Social post, claiming Mamdani would benefit the Republican Party. He warned that Mamdani would face unprecedented problems with Washington as mayor.
Trump said Mamdani would not receive federal funding needed to fulfill his campaign promises. The president characterized Mamdani's ideology as failed communist principles that have not worked "for thousands of years."
Mamdani dismissed Trump's comments, telling reporters the president is "going through the stages of grief" regarding his mayoral campaign. The Democratic nominee maintained his focus on local issues and his criticism of Cuomo's gubernatorial record.
Adams announced his campaign suspension in a video posted Sunday, fundamentally altering the mayoral contest dynamics. Mamdani immediately positioned himself as the clear alternative to Cuomo despite Republican Sliwa remaining in the race.
Pressure had mounted for either Adams or Cuomo to exit before the Democratic nominee's announcement. Even if all Adams' supporters shifted to Cuomo, the former governor would still trail by at least 10 points according to current polling.
Mamdani referenced Adams' own characterization of Cuomo as "a snake and a liar" during his Monday remarks. He said many New Yorkers share Adams' sentiment about wanting to turn the page on the Cuomo era.