Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed veteran Democratic operative Greg Goldner as his campaign manager on Tuesday as his independent bid for New York City mayor moves into the final weeks before Election Day.
The change in leadership comes after a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted Sept. 2-6 and released Tuesday showed Cuomo trailing Democratic primary winner Zohran Mamdani by more than 20 percentage points in a multi-candidate contest. The campaign said Goldner will lead overall strategy while North Shore Strategies continues to run field operations and Beacon Media handles media.
Goldner, a Chicago-based operative with decades of experience, has worked on high-profile Democratic campaigns including Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral bids, John Kerry’s presidential campaign, Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 campaign and President Barack Obama’s operation. In announcing the hire, the campaign highlighted Goldner’s experience and described the move as an effort to sharpen strategy as the race tightens.
"From massive infrastructure projects to enacting landmark legislation, Andrew Cuomo knows how to make government work for people. As Democrats, that has to be our first priority, and I’m proud to join his team to help make him the next Mayor of New York City," Goldner said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel praised Goldner’s leadership as well.
The Times/Siena poll showed Mamdani at 46% to Cuomo’s 24% in a contest that also includes Republican Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom have said they will remain in the race through November. In a hypothetical head-to-head between Mamdani and Cuomo if Sliwa and Adams were to exit, the survey showed Mamdani leading 48% to 44%.
Mamdani won the Democratic primary in June. Cuomo, who lost that primary, has remained in the general election as an independent and has framed his campaign as an alternative to what he describes as Mamdani’s progressive platform. Campaign coverage has highlighted differences on proposals that Mamdani supports, including higher taxes on corporations and top earners, free city buses, city-run grocery stores, expanded childcare and rent freezes.
The Cuomo campaign also confirmed the addition of veteran Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher to its team. Belcher, who has worked on multiple Democratic presidential campaigns, will advise on polling and messaging. The campaign said its field operation will continue to be managed by North Shore Strategies.
The New York Times reported that advisers to former President Donald Trump have discussed potential federal roles for some mayoral hopefuls if they were to drop out of the race, a development discussed in reporting about the broader dynamics of the contest. Sliwa and Adams have publicly committed to staying in the race.
Cuomo met with New York City business leaders on Tuesday as the campaign seeks to broaden support. With roughly eight weeks remaining before voters head to the polls, the campaign’s leadership changes underscore an intensified effort to narrow the gap with Mamdani and reshape the trajectory of a four-way mayoral contest.