Can Andrew Cuomo Win NYC Mayoral Race? Former Governor Thinks He Can, Bettors Not So Sure

Andrew Cuomo is remaining in the NYC mayoral race despite an underwhelming performance in his party’s June primary. The former governor of New York will run as an independent this November.

The Democratic Party Has Nominated Zohran Mamdani, a Socialist From Queens

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo attends the Israeli Day Parade on Fifth Avenue on May 18, 2025. The former governor is staying in the 2025 race despite his Democratic Party primary defeat in June.

Cuomo’s Odds: A 15% Chance of Winning

Kalshi, an online peer-to-peer wagering exchange, gives Cuomo a 15% chance of winning the November outcome. Mamdani is the heavy favorite at implied odds of 73%. Adams is at 13%. Sliwa is given just a 2% shot.

Cuomo’s Public Perception Challenges

Cuomo and Adams both have public perception obstacles to overcome. While Cuomo has maintained that he never assaulted a female staffer, he has conceded that he understands that his “interactions may have been insensitive or too personal” and that some of his “comments, given my position [as governor], made others feel in ways I never intended.”

The Controversy Surrounding Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani is a highly controversial candidate among the two-party political elite. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani wants the city government to run grocery stores, increase the minimum wage to $30 per hour, provide universal health care, and construct 200K new affordable housing units.

The Potential Impact on the Election

Should Adams and Cuomo both stay in the race, they could split the anti-Mamdani vote and essentially clinch the uprising political star’s succession into the mayor’s office. Mamdani is supported by US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), aka AOC.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NYC mayoral race is shaping up to be a competitive and contentious election. With Cuomo remaining in the race despite his underwhelming performance in the June primary, it remains to be seen whether he can overcome his public perception challenges and win over voters.