Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday warned that a victory by Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race could trigger Republican gains across the state and beyond, saying conservatives would use such a result to portray the Democratic Party as controlled by socialists.
Cuomo, who is running for mayor, made the remarks on CNBC’s Squawk Box and denied reports that he was allied with former President Donald Trump or that he was "President Trump's candidate" in the contest. He said Republicans, he argued, would be "praying for Mamdani to win" because they could use a Mamdani victory as a national political weapon in 2026.
"If Mamdani wins, they’ll say the Democratic Party has been taken over by socialists," Cuomo said on the program. "They’re against business. They would raise taxes. Everything is free. Disband the police, legalize prostitution, abolish jails." He added that a win by Mamdani could help Republicans pick up congressional seats and possibly the governorship.
Cuomo also pushed back on reporting that Trump advisers discussed offering a cabinet post to Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for helping Cuomo’s campaign, calling that suggestion "ludicrous." Fox News Digital reported that it had reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment.
Zohran Mamdani, a member of the New York City Council who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has promoted progressive proposals such as city-run grocery stores and free public transit. Mamdani has also faced questions over past statements, including tweets calling to "defund the police," and about an unsuccessful city-run grocery store effort in Kansas City. He told CBS New York correspondent Marcia Kramer that he has "evolved" on some earlier positions and that those past statements are "out of step with the campaign that [he’s] running."
"Many of my opponents, chiefly Andrew Cuomo, would prefer to debate a mythical version of myself rather than the person I actually am," Mamdani said, according to his remarks to CBS New York. He argued that his platform addresses current New Yorkers' needs and that critics focus on old tweets instead of his 2025 agenda.
Cuomo has asserted he is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani in a head-to-head matchup. Public polling has shown Cuomo trailing in the race: an August Siena College poll found him 19 percentage points behind Mamdani. The mayoral election is scheduled for November.
The contest has drawn attention beyond the city as Democrats and Republicans consider its implications for broader electoral strategies. Cuomo framed the stakes in national terms, suggesting that opponents would point to a Mamdani administration as evidence of a shift in the Democratic Party's priorities, a line of argument he said would benefit Republicans seeking seats in 2026.
Both candidates have sought to define the choices facing voters: Cuomo casting himself as a pragmatic alternative to what he characterized as far-left policies, and Mamdani attempting to both defend progressive proposals and distance himself from earlier rhetoric he says no longer reflects his campaign.
Campaign activity and media appearances are expected to continue through the fall as candidates sharpen their messages and voters evaluate policy proposals and electability. Observers say the race will be watched for signals about the party’s direction and its appeal to urban voters in upcoming statewide and congressional contests.