NEW YORK CITY — Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace amid multiple sexual harassment allegations and a nursing home scandal, is attempting a political comeback—this time as a candidate for New York City Mayor. However, his low approval ratings and deep mistrust among voters across the political spectrum suggest that his campaign is dead on arrival.

New Yorkers—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike—have not forgotten why Cuomo stepped down in disgrace, and few are willing to hand him the keys to City Hall.

Cuomo’s Downfall: Why He Resigned as Governor

In August 2021, Cuomo announced his resignation following an explosive investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which found that he sexually harassed at least 11 women, including current and former state employees. The allegations included unwanted touching, inappropriate comments, and abuse of power. Cuomo repeatedly denied wrongdoing, but the evidence was overwhelming.

Adding fuel to the fire, Cuomo’s disastrous handling of COVID-19 nursing home policies resulted in the avoidable deaths of thousands of elderly New Yorkers. His administration deliberately underreported the number of nursing home deaths to avoid political fallout, a revelation that shattered public trust in his leadership.

By the time he stepped down, his approval rating had collapsed. A Marist poll from August 2021 found that only 38% of New Yorkers approved of Cuomo’s job performance, a dramatic decline from his once-lofty status. Even Democrats, who previously championed him, abandoned him in droves.

A City That Wants Nothing to Do With Him

Fast forward to 2025, and Cuomo is plotting his return to power, launching a campaign to unseat Mayor Eric Adams in the next New York City mayoral election. The problem? Nobody wants him back.

• Democrats see him as a liability, a relic of corrupt, old-school politics who failed the state and betrayed public trust.
• Republicans and Independents never trusted him to begin with, seeing him as a power-hungry, scandal-plagued career politician who lied his way through office.
• Even left-wing progressives reject him, believing that his policies benefited corporate elites while ignoring the needs of struggling New Yorkers.

His entry into the race has already fueled backlash, with many voters questioning why he thinks New Yorkers would give him another chance.

Cuomo vs. Adams: A Battle No One Wants

Cuomo’s main opponent, current Mayor Eric Adams, has struggled with his own controversies, including rising crime, migrant crises, and financial scandals. However, even Adams—who is deeply unpopular in his own right—is using Cuomo’s past scandals against him.

When asked about Cuomo’s candidacy, Adams didn’t hold back, stating:

"New York City needs to be saved from Andrew Cuomo. He abandoned this city in its worst crisis, and now he wants to run it? No way."

Meanwhile, Cuomo has attempted to rebrand himself as a changed man who has "learned from his mistakes." However, voters aren’t buying it. His campaign events have been sparsely attended, and polls indicate that he would struggle to gain significant support even in a Democratic primary.

Cuomo’s Legacy: Corruption, Scandal, and Mistrust

New Yorkers remember exactly who Andrew Cuomo is:

• A politician who resigned to avoid impeachment over sexual harassment allegations.
• A governor who hid the true number of nursing home deaths while writing a self-congratulatory book about his pandemic leadership.
• A power-hungry Democrat who silenced whistleblowers, used intimidation tactics, and manipulated the media to control the narrative.

His attempt to rewrite history and portray himself as a redemptive figure is laughable. The facts remain unchanged, and New Yorkers haven’t forgotten.

Conclusion: A Campaign Destined to Fail

Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign is nothing more than a last-ditch effort to reclaim relevance, but the voters of New York City aren’t interested. His legacy is one of scandal, corruption, and failed leadership—a stain on New York politics that no amount of rebranding can erase.

New Yorkers deserve better than a disgraced former governor trying to rewrite history. And if the early reactions to his campaign are any indication, they have no intention of letting him back into power.

References

• The New York Post – Adams says NYC needs to be 'saved' from ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo as they face off in mayoral race (March 2025)
• People Magazine – Andrew Cuomo Launches Campaign for NYC Mayor After Resigning as Governor Amid Scandal (March 2025)
• AP News – Why Andrew Cuomo’s Political Comeback Is Doomed From the Start (March 2025)
• Marist Poll – Cuomo’s Approval Plummets Following Harassment Allegations (August 2021)
• Lucid Media – Andrew Cuomo’s Disastrous Legacy: Why New Yorkers Want Him Gone for Good (2025)

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