Ex-gov says Democrats need to rally behind a mayoral candidate, just not Mamdani
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Former New York Gov. David Paterson is calling on Democrats to rally together behind a mayoral candidate, just not Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Paterson held a news conference Monday, Paterson compared the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist to “cyanide” for the Democratic party.
Paterson said he’s “surprised at the number of people who accepted that [Mamdani] won the primary” after Mamdani took a stunning lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The former governor pointed to Mamdani’s lack of experience, controversial stance on Israel, and “impossible” promise to freeze rent.
“I have been very clear in my position that I simply do not believe Zohran Mamdani is the best person to lead New York City in these extremely turbulent times,” Paterson said.
Patterson is suggesting the other candidates – independents Jim Walden, Mayor Eric Adams and possibly Cuomo – rally together to take on Mamdani.
Paterson endorsed Cuomo in the Democratic primary, but stopped short of identifying a candidate worthy of the Democrats’ shared support. Cuomo has yet to announce whether he will run as an independent in the November election.
“It’s very important that there be one, common-sense, independent Democrat running against Mamdani,” Judge Richard Weinberg said.
Asked about Adams' federal bribery case, which has been dropped, and Cuomo’s resignation after sexual harassment findings, Paterson said both politicians received support.
“Some of these candidates do have past issues, but how long do you have to carry the cross?” Paterson said. “The public has a right to go to the polls and not vote for them.”
This primary election had the highest voter turnout of any mayoral primary in decades, according to City & State. Even still, Paterson suggested that Mamdani’s win was not representative of the will of Democrats.
“I trust democratic voters to choose their own candidate, but the number of people [who] voted in the primary pale in comparison to those who vote in the general election. And much of the consistent Democratic voters, a lot of them sit out the primary,” Paterson said.