In a surprising political maneuver that showcases the enduring influence of wealth in New York politics, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg has thrown his substantial financial support behind Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid, potentially tipping the scales against socialist challenger Zohran Mamdani just days before early voting begins.
Key Takeaways
- Billionaire former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has endorsed Andrew Cuomo for mayor, breaking his tradition of avoiding mayoral politics since leaving office.
- Bloomberg’s endorsement comes strategically timed – just two weeks before the June 24 primary and four days before early voting begins.
- Cuomo’s main challenger is democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, who has been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, setting up an establishment versus progressive showdown.
- The endorsement reflects Bloomberg’s opposition to the Democratic Party’s left wing and support for Israel, highlighting the ideological divide in NYC politics.
- Cuomo is seeking political redemption after resigning as governor in 2021 amid multiple scandals including sexual harassment accusations.
Bloomberg’s Strategic Endorsement
Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, made a decisive entry into the current mayoral race by endorsing Andrew Cuomo. This move marks a departure from Bloomberg’s usual practice of staying out of mayoral politics since leaving office. In his endorsement, Bloomberg emphasized Cuomo’s management experience and ability to navigate government systems effectively. The timing of this endorsement is particularly strategic, coming just two weeks before the June 24 primary election and mere days before early voting begins on Saturday.
Bloomberg acknowledged that while he and Cuomo have had their differences in the past, he believes Cuomo possesses the leadership qualities necessary for the position. “In sizing up the field in the race for mayor, there is one candidate whose management experience and government know-how stand above the others: Andrew Cuomo,” stated Michael Bloomberg, former NYC Mayor.
The Establishment vs. Progressive Battle
The mayoral race has evolved into a clear ideological battle between establishment politics, represented by Cuomo and his supporters, and progressive forces rallying behind Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist state assembly member. Mamdani has secured the endorsement of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who aims to consolidate progressive voters against the more moderate Cuomo. This endorsement by Bloomberg appears to be partly motivated by his opposition to the Democratic Party’s left wing and his strong support for Israel, further highlighting the deep ideological divisions within New York City politics.
“He has decades of experience navigating state and federal governments. He has governed as a pragmatist, focused on solving problems rather than engaging in ideological or partisan warfare. And he has shown that he can get big things done, including the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, the opening of the 2nd Avenue Subway, and creation of Moynihan Station – all long-stalled projects that he jump-started and completed. The question before New Yorkers is not: Who is the perfect choice? No mayor is perfect. The question is: Who is the best choice? To me, that choice is clear: Andrew Cuomo,” said Michael Bloomberg, former NYC Mayor.
Mamdani has criticized Bloomberg’s endorsement of Cuomo, suggesting it represents support for maintaining the status quo rather than embracing progressive change. This sentiment resonates with his base of supporters who view the involvement of wealthy figures like Bloomberg in politics as problematic for true democratic representation. The division between these two camps represents a broader national trend where establishment Democrats find themselves at odds with an increasingly vocal progressive wing.
Here we go again…
@MikeBloomberg tries to buy his FOURTH NYC mayoral election, on behalf of billionaire-ally @andrewcuomo.
Don’t let him.
It’s your city, not his.
@AdrienneEAdams @bradlander @ZohranKMamdani https://t.co/nagLWyITrR— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) June 14, 2025
Cuomo’s Redemption Campaign
For Andrew Cuomo, this mayoral race represents more than just a bid for office—it’s an attempt at political redemption. After resigning as governor in 2021 amidst multiple scandals, including sexual harassment accusations and controversies surrounding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo is working to rebuild his political career. Despite these past issues, he currently leads in mayoral polls, largely due to his high name recognition among New York voters. Bloomberg’s endorsement adds substantial momentum to his campaign at a critical juncture.
“But I also know his strengths as a leader and manager. Of all the candidates, Andrew has the skills our city needs to lead us forward,” said Michael Bloomberg, former NYC Mayor.
In addition to Bloomberg, Cuomo has received an endorsement from New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, who had previously been critical of him. This growing coalition of support indicates that many establishment figures are rallying behind Cuomo as the preferable alternative to Mamdani’s socialist platform. Political experts view Bloomberg’s endorsement as particularly significant, given his continued influence in New York City politics and his substantial financial resources. The question remains whether voters will embrace Cuomo’s experience or opt for Mamdani’s promise of progressive change.
