Who would have expected this?
If Andrew Cuomo chooses to enter the race for New York City mayor in 2025, he could quickly become the front-runner in the Democratic primary, according to his former aide, Melissa DeRosa. Speaking on Mark Halperin’s 2 Way Tonight podcast, DeRosa suggested that Cuomo’s chances would be bolstered by ranked-choice voting, which was introduced in 2021 for city elections.
Ranked-choice voting allows New Yorkers to rank candidates by preference. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their supporters’ votes are redistributed according to their second choices. This process continues until only two candidates remain. DeRosa argued that Cuomo’s popularity and name recognition would make him the clear leader in this system, even in a crowded field.
In a highly competitive primary, DeRosa believes that many of the other candidates’ supporters would rank Cuomo as their second choice, ultimately giving him an advantage. She pointed to candidates like former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, and others, suggesting that their voters would likely gravitate toward Cuomo. “Any African American vote that Zellnor Myrie gets will directly go to Cuomo. Any Latino vote that Jessica Ramos recieves will immeditelty go to Cuomo,” DeRosa claimed, noting that these second-choice votes would help propel him forward as other candidates drop out.
However, Cuomo’s path to victory may be complicated by the uncertain political future of current Mayor Eric Adams. Adams, who is facing federal charges, may choose to run for re-election. DeRosa acknowledged that Cuomo would need to consider Adams’ decision in weighing his own bid for City Hall.
While Cuomo’s tenure as governor has been marked by controversy, including his resignation in 2021 over accusations of sexual harassment, he still retains significant influence in New York politics. Cuomo is credited with major infrastructure projects, such as the modernization of LaGuardia Airport and the reconstruction of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Additionally, Cuomo was a vocal supporter of charter schools, often clashing with former Mayor Bill de Blasio on the issue.
Still, some Democratic figures, like Brooklyn Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, are firmly behind Adams, praising his handling of crime and the local economy. However, DeRosa criticized Adams for being too passive in his relationship with Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature, claiming he hasn’t fought hard enough for the city’s needs.
Ultimately, whether Cuomo runs will depend on the political landscape in the coming months. If he does decide to enter the race, his strong political base, name recognition, and the impact of ranked-choice voting could make him a formidable contender in the 2025 mayoral race.