Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will pick a longtime ally to help him launch a mayoral bid next month against current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Politico reported Thursday.
Charlie King, a consultant whose relationship with Cuomo dates back decades, has already begun vetting others to work on the former governor's mayoral campaign, according to the report.
"As far as I know, there is no Cuomo campaign for mayor but should that change, I'm sure everyone will know who is on board," King told Politico. "Judging by the unsolicited proposals and resumes that have flooded in, should the former governor decide to run, I'm sure he'll have his pick."
Cuomo is eyeing an early February launch, according to the report, with petitioning for ballot access running from Feb. 25 to April 3. The Democrat primary is June 24.
Cuomo would add to the ever-growing list of Democrat candidates to challenge Adams' bid for a second term after the five-count indictment that Adams was hit with in September. Adams is accused of defrauding taxpayers out of $10 million in matching campaign funds and taking $123,000 in bribes in the form of travel perks from Turkish officials and nationals. His trial is scheduled for April.
Not counting Cuomo, at least eight challengers have announced plans to run against Adams. According to the report, Cuomo was not intending to challenge Adams until Hizzoner's legal woes began to mount.
However, a Cuomo spokesperson threw cold water on the speculation, telling Politico that "nothing has changed and neither apparently has the rumor mill in all its glory. This all remains premature."
Cuomo resigned as governor in August 2021 over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations, charges he has denied. A subsequent report found he sexually harassed 11 women.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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