Host Intro: Former Governor Andrew Cuomo entered the already crowded mayoral race on Sunday. He already leading in the polls, despite past accusations of sexual harassment indictment and understating the death toll in nursing homes during COVID-19. But will these affect how voters feel about him? Oona Milliken has more.
Oona Milliken: When Andrew Cuomo announced his bid for mayor on Sunday, he said New York is in trouble, that crime and homelessness are rampant, and there's an anxiety in the air. In his video announcement, he said he can turn the city around
Cuomo: I’m not saying it will be easy. It won’t be easy. And I believe I can help.
Milliken: In 2021, Cuomo resigned as governor after allegations of misconduct.
[archival tape] KHOU reporter: We begin with breaking news out of New York, where governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned, just moments ago
[archival tape] CBC reporter Sarah Walton: “New York Attorney General Letitia James accused New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexually harassing at least 11 women and retaliating against a former employee who complained about his conduct
[archival tape] PIX11 reporter: This morning, new allegations of a Cuomo administration coverup surrounding the handling of nursing home residents infected with COVID and dying during the height of the pandemic
Milliken: In his campaign announcement, Cuomo acknowledged these past mistakes.
Cuomo: Did I always do everything right in my time of government service? Of course not.
Milliken: Some voters may be willing to forgive past accusations. Recent polls show that sixty-six percent of New Yorkers feel that the city is heading in the wrong direction. Hank Sheinkopf is a political consultant in New York. He says voters are more worried about safety, cost of living and homelessness than political scandals.
Hank Sheinkopf: They're more concerned about that than the criticisms about Andrew Cuomo, that's why he's in the campaign. That's why he has a higher probability of winning right now, and that's frankly why his polling numbers are so good.
Milliken: On a busy afternoon in Court Square, Queens, people are shopping and sitting on benches taking their lunch breaks. One passerby, Margie Salas, says Cuomo has her vote. She says she just wants good leadership.
Salas: I know that he’s extremely qualified. I’m extremely happy that he’s running.
Milliken: Salas says she’s willing to overlook the accusations of sexual harassment that were made against Cuomo.
Salas: Youknow, hatever you've done in your personal life, it doesn't disqualify you for all the good that you've done. Well, this sucks, because I am a woman, right? That being said, I need to see the proof.
Milliken: Hiran Roman spoke to me in Spanish through his companion Maria Silver. He says he thinks the allegations against Cuomo are a hoax orchestrated by Donald Trump.
Silver: He always said that. He said Trump create that just to put his name down. That’s- he always said that
Roman: That’s the way I think
Silver: He said he don’t believe that
Milliken: More than anything, Roman says he liked how Cuomo handled the pandemic and stood up to Donald Trump. He also says Cuomo fights for the working class.
Roman: El oportada mucho a la clase pobre
Silver: He support the poor people and do not afraid to Donald Trump
Milliken: But not everyone is hopping aboard the Cuomo train. Richard Bueno says he’s undecided, and he doesn’t think New Yorkers will forgive Cuomo for his alleged transgressions.
Bueno: I'm not that confident that he's going to get very far
Milliken: Why do you say that?
Bueno: I think New Yorkers just won't let that go…I don't think he was a bad governor, right? I think he did a relatively good job, but this is politics, and this way politics works.
Milliken: Cuomo faces a diverse group of candidates, including Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Assembly Member. Hank Shienkopf says that the June primary is still a long way off.
Sheinkopf: So anything can happen. You know, one minute in politics is akin to several years in anything else.
Milliken: City Council speaker Adrienne Adams announced her run last night. She formed a campaign committee last week and is expected to announce her bid soon.
Milliken: Oona Milliken. Columbia Radio News.
Comments