Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo joked over the weekend that he'd flee to Florida if Democrat hopeful Zohran Mamdani defeats him in the city's upcoming mayoral race.
Cuomo made the comment on July 13 during a breakfast event hosted by supermarket magnate and GOP donor John Catsimatidis at 75 Main in Southampton, according to Fox News. Surrounded by high-profile attendees like RXR Chairman Bruce Mosler and ex-aide Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo quipped, "It's all or nothing. We either win or even I will move to Florida. God forbid."
The line, which attendees described as attention-grabbing, came as Cuomo prepares to run as an independent in the general election after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has called for measures like rent freezes and publicly owned grocery stores, prompting fierce pushback from Cuomo, who dismissed the platform as "unrealistic bumper sticker slogans." He referred to Mamdani as "the kid" and described his rent policy as a "death sentence" for landlords.
Cuomo also criticized Mayor Eric Adams, another independent candidate, for lacking focus in light of ongoing investigations, saying New York hasn't had a competent mayor since Michael Bloomberg.
Cuomo adviser Rich Azzopardi later clarified that the Florida line was meant to highlight what's at stake in the race, accusing Mamdani of being "dangerously inexperienced." Adams responded to the jab, telling the New York Post that if Cuomo wants to move to Florida, he should go ahead.
With Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa also on the ballot, the race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, with high-profile candidates running as independents.
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