NEW YORK CITY — In a dramatic and controversial move, former President Bill Clinton has endorsed Andrew M. Cuomo in the final stretch of the New York City mayoral race, injecting a jolt of establishment power into a race already marked by fierce ideological divides.
The endorsement came via a recorded robocall message sent to thousands of Democratic voters on Sunday morning—just hours before early voting closes and two days before the critical primary vote. Clinton praised Cuomo as a capable leader who “knows how to get things done,” citing their work together on homelessness and urban renewal during Cuomo’s time as federal housing secretary under the Clinton administration.
“I hired Andrew because he could solve problems, not just talk about them,” Clinton says in the call. “We worked side-by-side rebuilding communities that had been forgotten. And I know he’ll do it again—for all of New York.”
The move is widely seen as an effort to rally older, centrist Democrats around Cuomo, whose comeback campaign has gained momentum after months of intense scrutiny and bitter opposition. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct—which he denies—has framed his mayoral bid as a redemption arc and a return to pragmatic leadership.
Clinton’s endorsement is the most high-profile among a string of establishment figures who have thrown their support behind Cuomo in recent weeks, including several major union leaders and former city officials. But it has also deepened fractures within the Democratic Party, particularly among progressives backing Cuomo’s main rival, Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, has surged in the polls with promises to defund the NYPD, overhaul housing policy, and tax the ultra-wealthy. His supporters were quick to denounce Clinton’s endorsement as a symbol of party machine politics trying to suppress grassroots momentum.
“This is exactly what New Yorkers are tired of—backroom deals and recycled power,” Mamdani said at a campaign stop in Flatbush. “We don’t need another Cuomo. We need a government that listens to the people.”
Cuomo’s campaign welcomed the endorsement as validation of his leadership credentials and commitment to city governance. A senior advisor, speaking on background, said the campaign expects the robocall to help turnout among older, undecided Democrats in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The timing of the endorsement is seen as strategic: early voting ends Sunday, and Clinton’s voice—still revered among many Democratic voters—could sway late deciders. Political analysts also note that the robocall allows Clinton to support Cuomo without appearing on the campaign trail, limiting backlash.
Yet the endorsement has drawn sharp criticism from survivors’ groups and feminist organizations, who say Cuomo’s return to politics undermines the #MeToo movement.
“This sends a chilling message,” said one spokesperson for a coalition of advocacy groups. “It tells powerful men that consequences are temporary.”
Cuomo, meanwhile, brushed off the criticism. “I’m proud to have President Clinton’s support,” he told reporters Sunday afternoon. “We’ve got real work to do in this city—affordable housing, transit, safety—and that’s what voters care about.”
As the race heads into its final hours, Clinton’s endorsement may prove to be a pivotal moment—either sealing Cuomo’s comeback or galvanizing progressive resistance.
One thing is clear: in a city already brimming with political drama, the final act is far from over.
