By Ginger Adams Otis and Victoria Albert

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace three years ago, announced his return to politics Saturday with a bid to be New York City's next mayor, joining a crowded primary field that includes embattled incumbent Eric Adams.

Cuomo, 67 years old, launched his comeback effort with a video that acknowledged past errors, without providing details, while outlining how he would tackle housing, crime, and other issues if elected to lead the city. He promised to work with his party's progressive wing, as well as President Trump.

"Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it and I hope to show that everyday," he says in the video posted on social media and his campaign website. "But I promise you this, I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it."

His declaration followed months of speculation that he was preparing to run and had started lining up allies to fundraise for him. Without even formally campaigning, Cuomo's name recognition has helped him top the primary field in at least one poll and collect backers. The District Council of Carpenters and at least one other trade union are expected to be early endorsers.

Cuomo served as the governor of New York from 2011 to 2021 and gained national attention while shepherding the state through the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. He resigned in August 2021 in the wake of sexual-harassment allegations and an impeachment effort, and was succeeded by the state's current Gov. Kathy Hochul. He has denied wrongdoing.

Within minutes of Cuomo's campaign announcement, competitors began unpacking his political baggage, including his administration's handling of Covid-19 in long-term-care facilities at the height of the pandemic.

Mayoral candidate and City Comptroller Brad Lander said Cuomo's announcement was a "sad attempt to get attention," and resurfaced the sexual harassment allegations and Covid-19 criticism in a post on X.

Another candidate, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, whose 2021 mayoral campaign was derailed by allegations of sexual misconduct that he has denied, released his own video response to Cuomo. He ran through a list of Cuomo policies as governor that benefited the state over the city, according to Stringer.

"Being mayor of New York may help Andrew Cuomo, but it won't do a damn thing to help New Yorkers," Stringer said.

Lander and Stringer are two of at least seven candidates Cuomo would have to beat in the June 24 ranked-choice Democratic primary election. The field could also include City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, whose name has emerged as a potential contender in recent days. In the city, which has a history of voting blue, the winner of the Democratic primary would be considered the heavy favorite to win the general election.

The current mayor, Adams, is embroiled in a legal battle over corruption charges and hemorrhaging staff, hasn't given any indication he will abandon his re-election effort. He became the first sitting city mayor to be indicted last fall, when he was charged with taking illegal campaign contributions from Turkey. Adams has denied wrongdoing.

The U.S. Justice Department, under new leadership from the Trump administration, moved this month to dismiss the corruption charges. A federal judge said he would hold off on dismissing the case against Adams to allow an outside attorney to make a case against granting the bid.

On Saturday, Cuomo painted the city as a metropolis in crisis, and cited its "crime problem," lack of affordable housing, overflowing shelters and aging subway system as issues he would solve. He also touched upon the need for more jobs for youth and voiced support for New York's Jewish population against the backdrop of the "tragic situation in the Middle East."

He sought to portray himself as a politician who could bring the left-of-center flank in the Democratic Party into alignment with moderate policies. And he's ready to cooperate and work with the Trump administration, he said, as long as the policies are good for New York.

"I have worked with President Trump in many different situations and I hope President Trump remembers his hometown, and works with us to make it better," said Cuomo, who like the president, was born in Queens.

Write to Ginger Adams Otis at Ginger.AdamsOtis@wsj.com and Victoria Albert at victoria.albert@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

The U.S. Justice Department moved last month to dismiss the corruption charges against Eric Adams. "Andrew Cuomo Enters Crowded NYC Mayor Race, Says He Will Fix a City in Crisis -- 2nd Update," at 4:28 p.m. ET. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said the Justice Department moved to dismiss the charges this month.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 01, 2025 17:16 ET (22:16 GMT)

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