NY Democrat snubs party line, backs Cuomo over socialist rival in heated race for NYC mayor

On the eve of New York's mayoral race, one Democrat has broken ranks with the leadership in his chamber to express reservations about Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani. 

Cuomo ran as an independent after failing to capture the Democratic nomination earlier this year.

"I'm a Democratic Capitalist, not a Democratic Socialist. I endorse Andrew Cuomo," Suozzi said in a post to X. "I cannot back a declared socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America."

"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."

As a moderate from New York with a track record of reaching across the aisle, Suozzi is no stranger to bucking the party. So far, in the 119th Congress, he has cast a vote that goes against the Democratic consensus 12% of the time. 

Suozzi's endorsement comes as many high-ranking figures in the Democratic Party have waited until the last minute to make it clear where they stand on Mamdani's candidacy. Notably, while he's attracted the support of Jeffries, he has yet to receive any word of support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

In response to Suozzi's endorsement, Cuomo praised the Democrat legislator.

"I issued a statement with respect to the mayor's race last Friday. That statement speaks for itself," Jeffries said at a press conference on Tuesday.

In his endorsement, Jeffries said he supported the general goals of what Mamdani laid out in his platform.

"I deeply respect the will of the primary voters and the young people who have been inspired to participate in the electoral process," Jeffries said in his endorsement. "Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis."

Since he won the nomination, Democrats in Congress have repeatedly dodged questions about whether they would support Mamdani. 

Besides Jeffries, only a handful of other Democrats in party leadership roles have endorsed Mamdani. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have also put their weight behind his candidacy.