Major New York paper endorses Andrew Cuomo over 'callow and mealy-mouthed' Mamdani

The New York Daily News endorsed independent candidate Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor on Sunday, warning that Democrat Zohran Mamdani has proven to be a "callow and mealy-mouthed" hack.

"Zohran Mamdani’s dithering performance in the final mayoral debate pointed up the ongoing problem with his campaign," The New York Daily News Editorial Board wrote. "It’s a house of cards built on sound bites and laced with antisemitism. But he stumbles and dodges when asked to venture beyond his surface-level focus on affordability and his four, and only four, narrow planks: child care, buses, rent, and grocery stores. It is not only naïve and maddening, but dangerous for a future mayor and points up how unfit he is for the office."

The board continued, "While Andrew Cuomo has plenty of well-documented flaws, including those that drove him from the governor’s mansion in 2021, a decade as governor proves that he is a competent executive and could well do the job of running the city government."

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Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani battle to be mayor of New York City. (Angelina Katsanis/Pool via Reuters; Mike Segar/Reuters)

The New York Daily News criticized Mamdani for having no plans on how to pay for his lofty campaign promises, such as universal healthcare, without raising taxes, as well as failing to address other issues such as policing and housing.

"[I]t's important to pay attention to what Mamdani is not talking about. He won’t answer when it gets tough. He may be appealing on the surface with his slogans and promises, but underneath there is a hollowness that will ultimately disappoint his supporters and put New York in a bad place," the board wrote.

CUOMO WARNS THERE WILL BE 'NOBODY LEFT' IN NEW YORK CITY IF MAMDANI BECOMES MAYOR

The New York Daily News criticized Zohran Mamdani for having no concrete plans to enact his campaign promises. (Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By contrast, the board argued that Cuomo has "a very long, very public record," bringing more experience to the position than any candidate before him.

"New York isn’t a city that stands still, it must advance or fall back. With Mamdani we risk regressing. With Cuomo we can move ahead," the article concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to both Cuomo and Mamdani's campaigns for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

BILL MAHER WARNS DEMOCRATS OF MAMDANI’S IMPACT, SAYS THE ‘WHOLE’ PARTY IS ON THE BALLOT

Former New York Governor and independent New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel on August 4, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Early voting in New York City began on Saturday with the mayoral election set for Nov. 4.

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A Fox News poll earlier this month showed Mamdani holding a 21-point lead ahead of Cuomo at 49% compared to the former governor's 28%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa was polled at 13%.