Giuliani Allies Back Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race

New York City, NY — Several former aides of ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani are now supporting Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral election. This shift comes as Cuomo, a former governor, runs as an independent candidate.

Joe Lhota, who was a deputy mayor under Giuliani and the Republican candidate for mayor in 2013, confirmed his endorsement of Cuomo, saying, “It’s a choice between a proven manager, a socialist, and a fruit loop.” Lhota, now a Democrat, has previously worked with Cuomo as the chairman of the MTA.

Alongside Lhota, Anthony Carbonetti, Giuliani’s former chief of staff, expressed similar sentiments. He called Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, a “great New Yorker” but stated, “the numbers aren’t there for him to win.” Carbonetti emphasized the importance of preventing a Democratic Socialist like Zohran Mamdani from managing the city’s $116 billion budget.

Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey also endorsed Cuomo in an op-ed. He warned voters about the potential consequences of a Mamdani victory, labeling Cuomo as “the most viable alternative” for the city.

This political realignment occurs amid Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that he will not seek re-election, stirring uncertainties within the political landscape. Former President Donald Trump commented on the race, downplaying Sliwa’s prospects, stating, “Look, I’m a Republican, but Curtis is not exactly prime time.”

As the election approaches, polling indicates that Mamdani is leading Cuomo by about 20 points, but still under 50%. This situation leaves the door open for Cuomo to consolidate support from Republican and independent voters.

With the election set for November, the dynamics between candidates are expected to intensify, particularly as Giuliani, now 81, has yet to declare his stance in the race.