Tom Suozzi Breaks with Party Leadership to Endorse Andrew Cuomo in New York Mayoral Race
On the eve of New York’s mayoral election, Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi has split from his party’s leadership by endorsing independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo over Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Suozzi, a Democrat from New York, announced his decision Wednesday on X, writing: “I’m a Democratic Capitalist, not a Democratic Socialist. I endorse Andrew Cuomo. I cannot back a declared socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America.”
Cuomo, who launched an independent campaign after losing the Democratic nomination earlier this year, welcomed Suozzi’s backing.
“We need leaders who will fight crime, not undermine the police. Who will create jobs, not harm the economy. Who will keep taxes down, not make it more expensive for middle-class families to live here,” Suozzi added.
Known for his moderate stance and willingness to work across the aisle, Suozzi has diverged from the Democratic consensus in Congress roughly 12% of the time during the 119th session. His endorsement comes amid widespread hesitation among Democratic leaders to firmly back Mamdani’s candidacy. While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed Mamdani, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has remained silent.
Cuomo expressed gratitude for Suozzi’s support, saying, “I’m grateful to have Congressman Tom Suozzi’s support as we head into early voting. I’ve known Tom for many years — he’s smart, results-driven, and a true public servant who delivers for the people he represents. His kind of common-sense leadership is exactly what New York needs, and I look forward to partnering with him to make our city safer, stronger and more livable.”
Jeffries, who endorsed Mamdani last week, declined to comment further when asked if Schumer should follow suit. “I issued a statement with respect to the mayor’s race last Friday. That statement speaks for itself,” he said during a Tuesday press conference.
In that statement, Jeffries emphasized respect for the democratic process and the enthusiasm surrounding Mamdani’s campaign, saying, “I deeply respect the will of the primary voters and the young people who have been inspired to participate in the electoral process. Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis.”
Mamdani, a 34-year-old self-declared democratic socialist, drew national attention when he defeated ten other contenders to win the Democratic nomination in June. His platform includes raising taxes to fund expanded social programs, reevaluating U.S.–Israel relations, and implementing rent freezes across New York City.
Despite these proposals, many congressional Democrats have avoided taking a public stance on Mamdani’s campaign. Apart from Jeffries, only a few top Democrats — including Governor Kathy Hochul and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — have formally endorsed him.
