Politics is a funny thing. Five years ago, when he was in his prime as the Democratic governor of New York and mayoral candidate Andreas Cuomo never imagined that the future of his political career would rest in the hands of New York City Republican voters.
It’s also a bit strange for Republican voters, but they lost the Democratic primaries to the far left Zohran MamdaniCuomo’s only chance to win is to convince voters, who polls show they support Curtis Sliwa, that he deserves to be mayor.
So far, for Cuomo, this has mainly consisted of him saying that, unlike Mamdani, he is not a communist. Yeah, that’s good, but like putting “not in jail” on your dating profile, this is kind of the bare minimum.
Whether Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who currently votes below 20%, drops out or not, and that doesn’t look likely, Cuomo will have to do it Convince Gotham’s conservatives to choose him. Here are a few ways he could do it.
New poll exposes problems for rivals in heated New York mayoral race as one candidate takes the lead
A chair at the table
Cuomo should promise that, if elected, Republicans will play a major role in his administration. This could look like many things, including a promise to bring in a strong Republican voice like former City Councilman Joe Borelli or current City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, a deputy mayor. Cuomo’s original pitch The aim of this campaign was to unite the city, but so far there is no indication that his government would be anything other than an ordinary democratic government. That has to change.
Support ICE
On Tuesday, Cuomo sent an ill-advised X-message criticizing him Immigration customs and enforcement for raids in New York’s Chinatown targeting illegal street vendors. There’s no doubt that liberals in Cuomo’s war room noticed the chaos in the streets and saw an opportunity to make points against the president. Donald Trump. But actually they missed an opportunity.
The reason we’re seeing this aggressive approach from ICE in Gotham is that, if a shrine citythe justice system will not cooperate with ICE. So instead of a simple and safe transfer from an illegal migrant to a prisoner, the feds are forced to conduct raids. Cuomo could promise in one sentence to put an end to this.
Pledge to work with Trump
One of the most stunning positions Cuomo has taken since launching his independent bid is that Democrat Mamdani is too weak to fight Trump effectively, but that he will walk forward if the president sticks his finger in his chest. Cuomo plays the tough guy role pretty well, but the problem is that the voters he needs actually like Trump. A lot of.
Independent candidate, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, speaks during a mayoral debate, Thursday, October 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, pool) (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, pool)
New Poll Shows MAMDANI’S Lead CRAWLES NOW CUOMO Gains Ground at NYC SHOWDOWN
Cuomo could greatly help his case with Republican voters if he would just say that Trump’s results in Washington DC have been great, and he is committed to working with the president to clean up New York’s parks and streets and tackle vagrancy and addiction.
Call out the cowards of his own party
DAVID MARCUS: HOW A TRUMP-CUOMO ALLIANCE CAN SAVE NEW YORK CITY
It’s not good enough. If Mamdani is truly the existential threat to New York that Cuomo and Sliwa both claim, then any Democrat who refuses to denounce communism in his own party should be called out. Cuomo has to shout cowardice.
Promise to Primary Socialists in New York
ERIC ADAMS’ ABRUPT DEPARTURE FROM NYC MAYORAL RACE ESCALATES Clash BETWEEN RIVALS: ‘RECORD OF DISGRACE’
One of the reasons Republican voters are skeptical of Cuomo is that even if he were to win, and even if he had the best intentions in the world, the rest of the city government will be awash with Democrat socialists who will thwart his efforts.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS ADVICE
Cuomo should promise that, if elected, he will work to fill all those positions with traditional, normal Democrats, if he can still find them, and that he will oppose the strong Marxism that is overtaking the party.
Even if Cuomo does all these things, it’s still a long shot, but it would be a new race, a different race. Republican voters need a real choice. They don’t expect Sliwa to prevail, but right now Cuomo looks too much like Mamdani to win them over.
Like it or not, Cuomo’s chances are now in the hands of Republican voters. Is he able to tell them what they want and need to hear?
CLICK HERE TO DAVID MARCUS
