Andrew Cuomo was the spoiler, not me

In the final weeks of the New York City mayoral campaign, there was heavy involvement from billionaires and masters of the universe. Donald Trump and Elon Musk joined the chorus of the Democratic Establishment. And the message was clear: a vote for me was a vote for Mamdani. There was a 72-hour barrage from super PACs running this message on conservative radio and news shows in an attempt to convince Republicans and conservatives to abandon their beliefs and principles and effectively join the Democratic party. No longer was the focus on what each candidate stood for. The point was to rewrite history and distance fact from reality.

We had Andrew Cuomo – a failed governor who left office in disgrace – being presented to the public as NYC’s only savior. He was the architect of “no cash bail,” “raise the age” and the man who sent more than 15,000 seniors to their graves because of his Covid nursing-home mandates. Yet here he was, repackaged to Republicans as the only candidate they could rally behind. Really? The most important initiatives Cuomo stood for were things the Republicans he was openly and aggressively courting stood against. On virtually every issue, I stood alone with the principles of the party. When you abandon Republican principles in this way, what do you get? A weakened and fractured party met by a strengthened opposition, the face of which has become Zohran Mamdani.

Zohran never wanted to run against me, Eric Adams or Cuomo; he wanted to run against Donald Trump. He knows he will not be able to fulfill his promises: his fallback will always be that “Trump prevented us from doing this” and “Trump is the reason we are suffering.” He can make Trump the problem plaguing New York City, rather than admitting that he spun a web of fantasies.

The Democratic Socialists of America’s goal in New York was to rupture the status quo, undermine independent Republicans and conservatives by separating them from the core of their beliefs and create a frenzied state in which the electorate was positioned not to support the person who represented their values, but to act from a mindset of fear. As it turned out, Cuomo was the spoiler, not me. Even if he had taken every vote that went to me, he still would have lost – again. He was trounced in the Democratic primary and his failed attempt to siphon off Republicans left him on the outside.

I continue to focus on what matters. First, I realize we are witnessing a generational change in politics. No longer are the baby boomers the loudest voices in the room. Making sure younger voters know what you stand for is essential. I was able to harness the reach of my existing social media platforms thanks to my campaign team, which was primarily made up of millennials. As a proponent of retail politics, I spent nine months on the campaign trail in every borough of NYC. Our team ensured that for every hand I couldn’t shake, someone who wanted to learn more about my policies could do so online.

I also realized that accessibility is key. In the final week of the election, I was invited to Baruch College by Turning Point USA to participate in a debate with students. This type of open conversation with young voters is a must. It was an excellent, peaceful debate at a liberal college, so even though some may not have been on board, they came away with a better understanding of where I stood. You can’t be afraid to go into a hostile environment: it’s the only way to hear every voice.

Last, and most importantly, I have learned that standing by one’s beliefs is paramount, in politics as in every part of life. I called myself the “Mayor of the People” because I stood with the working class on the issues that mattered most to them. I was realistic in my approach to fiscal responsibility to elevate NYC. I didn’t promise free things I knew could never be delivered. I stood up for the rights of animals and the majority of people with pets who consider them family because I believe a good leader is strong, caring and compassionate. So, while this mayoral election was plagued by calls to abandon party, belief and principles, I stood firm. I continue to stand firm in uniting people with the message to “improve, not move.” I hope all New Yorkers will hear it. 

This article was originally published in The Spectator’s November 24, 2025 World edition.