Cuomo says he is 'Democrat, running on an independent line' and Mamdani is 'socialist on the Democratic line'

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday he is a “Democrat, running on an independent line,” while his fellow New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is “a socialist on the Democratic line.”

“In this primary election, it was six socialist candidates basically pooling their money, pooling their rank choice, against me because I’m a moderate, and against Eric [Adams] when he was in the race, until he dropped out, because he was a moderate,” Cuomo said on John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby’s “Cats & Cosby” radio show.

“So it — they are — it’s a socialist on the Democratic line, and I’m the Democrat, running on an independent line,” he added.

Cuomo lost the Democratic primary for New York City mayor to Mamdani, a previously little-known democratic socialist, who shocked political observers by beating the former New York governor, a notable political heavyweight.

Cuomo has formally announced he is running as an independent in the Big Apple’s mayoral race later this year. The former New York governor is now competing against Mamdani, Adams, who is also running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa for New York City’s top job.

“Only 13 percent of New Yorkers voted in the June primary. The general election is in November, and I am in it to win it. My opponent, Mr. Mamdani, offers slick slogans, but no real solutions,” Cuomo said in a campaign video, which was posted Monday on the social platform X.

“We need a city with lower rent, safer streets, where buying your first home is once again possible, where child care won’t bankrupt you. That’s the New York City we know,” he added.

The Hill has reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment.

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