Iconic filmmaker Woody Allen has endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the race for New York City mayor, saying he would “do a much better job” than progressive challenger Zohran Mamdani.
In a appearance on the podcast Honesty with Bari Weiss, Allen said he plans to vote for Cuomo, citing the ex-governor’s experience and familiarity with New York. “I’m gonna vote. I’m gonna vote for Cuomo,” he stated, adding that Cuomo would be “much more efficient” and capable of getting things done. He conceded Mamdani’s heart is in the right place but argued the 33-year-old lawmaker lacks the track record to implement his agenda. “Cuomo is experienced and knows New York, and Mamdani is inexperienced,” Allen said. The endorsement came on Wednesday, underscoring a celebrity-tinged moment in a race that features a crowded field and rising political rhetoric.
Allen’s public stance arrives amid a long-standing controversy that has shadowed his career. The Sleepers director has faced decades of backlash following allegations that he sexually assaulted his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, a claim he has repeatedly denied. The scandal, along with his high-profile relationship with Mia Farrow’s former partner Soon-Yi Previn, has complicated his legacy and led to a reassessment of his work for some performers and studios. The allegations resurfaced discussions about consent, power, and the responsibilities of artists in the public square. Critics and collaborators have split over whether his past should influence contemporary judgments about his influence or ability to comment on civic matters. Allen’s ties to controversial circles have also been scrutinized, including links reported to former financier Jeffrey Epstein; he has maintained that his associations did not imply endorsement of wrongdoing. The endorsement by Allen is unlikely to single-handedly shift a race that has been shaped by other, more immediate political dynamics, but it adds a distinctive cultural dimension to a campaign that has already drawn intense attention from across the entertainment landscape.
Cuomo’s bid for a political comeback comes as he grapples with the optics and consequences of his resignation in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. He has repeatedly denied the accusations and argues that he can bring leadership experience to a city facing housing, crime, and economic recovery challenges. In the most recent polling snapshots cited by his team, Cuomo remains well short of a broad comeback, with figures hovering around the 30% mark in a crowded field. In the wake of a primary loss to Mamdani, Cuomo has struggled to gain traction, while Mamdani — described by supporters and observers as far-left and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America — continues to rack up endorsements and attention in the race.
In this evolving narrative, Mamdani has positioned himself as the progressive alternative, drawing support from progressive activism and a base that has flocked to his calls for sweeping change in city governance. The frontrunner status of Mamdani has been reinforced by high-profile endorsements within the party establishment’s ranks. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have both lined up behind Mamdani in recent days, reinforcing the divide between the candidate who ran on a bold, left-leaning platform and Cuomo’s more institutionally grounded approach. Reflecting local dynamics, Robert Miller, a Queens politician and a notable Democratic figure, has publicly noted Mamdani’s momentum in a crowded field that has featured a number of contenders.
As the race moves forward, Cuomo’s backers argue that experience in New York’s state government translates into practical governance, especially in a city facing complex fiscal and social challenges. Proponents say Cuomo understands the state’s administrative machinery, has a record of managing large-scale programs, and can navigate a political environment that often rewards pragmatism over idealism. Critics, meanwhile, contend that Cuomo’s past controversies remain a liability and that his approach may not resonate with voters seeking transformative changes promised by Mamdani and other challengers. The energetic, high-stakes environment surrounding the mayoral race shows no shortage of attention from both local media and national audiences who have tracked the arc of this contest from its early days to the present.
The interplay between celebrity influence, political branding, and policy proposals in this NYC mayoral contest underscores a broader cultural moment: entertainment figures increasingly weigh in on civic debates, shaping conversations about leadership and accountability in ways that reach beyond traditional political rallies. As Allen’s stance illustrates, the culture-and-entertainment lens continues to intersect with city governance in a race that promises to define the direction of New York for years to come.