Andrew Cuomo Will Not Drop Out of NYC Mayoral Race Despite Conceding Democratic Primary To Zohran Mamdani

Andrew Cuomo will not drop out of the New York City mayoral race despite conceding the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

Cuomo, who lost in the primary to Mamdani on Tuesday, has not committed to running an active campaign ahead of the November election but will not remove himself from the general election ballot.

Mamdani gained popularity among New York Democratic primary voters with policy goals centered on affordability, including implementing a rent freeze and establishing city-operated grocery stores, propelling him to upset the once-favored former governor of New York.

Mamdani was asked about Cuomo’s decision to stay on the ballot.

“Ultimately, Andrew’s decision and my decision matter less than the decision that voters already took on Tuesday night,” said Mamdani on CNN. 

Mamdani has received considerable praise from notable New York officials, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) – however, neither has endorsed his campaign.

Not all Democrats have embraced Mamdani and his ideologies.

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-New York) said Mamdani was “the absolute wrong choice for New York,” claiming his campaign was “built on unachievable promises and higher taxes.”

President Donald Trump echoed the Republican consensus on Mamdani in a post to social media.

“Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” wrote Trump. “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart.”

Mamdani is now positioned to face off against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after opting out of the Democratic primary, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Cuomo’s presence on the ballot keeps his political comeback hopes alive, with his campaign counting on Democrats who are wary of Mamdani’s socialist policies and critical of Adams’ federal indictment, which was removed by the Trump administration, to back the former governor in November.

When asked about potentially running against Cuomo in the general election, Mamdani exuded the same confident nature that drove him to his primary victory.

“We did it once and it turned out pretty well,” said Mamdani.