Paterson endorses Cuomo for mayor despite initial support for Adams in NYC mayoral race.

Former Governor David Paterson has lent his endorsement to Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign, marking a shift in his allegiance just days ahead of the election. This endorsement followed a period of initial support for Mayor Eric Adams during the general election. Paterson’s announcement came during a joint appearance with Cuomo and Adams at a Bronx senior center, demonstrating a significant political recalibration as candidates prepare for the upcoming vote.

Paterson, who previously supported Cuomo in the Democratic primary, expressed his approval of Cuomo’s candidacy by underlining the potential opportunities for the city should Cuomo be elected. During his remarks, he implied a critique of the affordability agenda put forward by Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, emphasizing that the road ahead would not offer any easy solutions, yet urged voters to consider Cuomo as the choice for mayor as early voting continues.

With the election just a week away and early voting already in progress, Mamdani appears to have a comfortable lead in the polls, reportedly outpacing Cuomo by a significant margin. Nonetheless, recent city data has indicated encouraging turnout among older voters during the initial early voting days, potentially providing a glimmer of hope for Cuomo’s campaign.

Paterson’s history of fluctuating endorsements adds a complex layer to the ongoing race. After backing Cuomo during the primary, Paterson briefly shifted his support to Adams, who ultimately dropped out of the race last month under mounting pressure. In a surprising turn of events, Adams, previously vocal in his criticisms of Cuomo – referring to him as a “snake and a liar” – also endorsed Cuomo last week.

In a notable attempt to unify support, Adams remarked that the wisdom of older voters is invaluable for the city’s future, suggesting that their experience is crucial in navigating New York’s challenges.

Cuomo, in response to Mamdani’s campaign, positioned himself against what he described as a “far-left extremist group” and cast doubt on his opponent’s readiness for office, questioning the capability of someone without extensive political experience to ensure public safety.

Despite past tensions between Cuomo and Paterson, marked by controversies from Paterson’s governorship in 2010 that led to his reelection campaign being derailed—an outcome many attributed to Cuomo’s political maneuvering—this latest endorsement illustrates the shifting dynamics within New York City’s political landscape as candidates vie for key voter demographics in the approaching election. The influence of endorsements from established political figures like Paterson may play a pivotal role in the outcomes as Election Day approaches.