Cuomo talks Sliwa, Mamdani, bail reform on GDNY
Election Day is just four weeks away, and voters are getting ready to cast their ballots to pick the next mayor of New York City. With NYC Mayor Eric Adams no longer looking to get reelected, the race is heating up. Independent candidate, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, joined Good Day New York on Tuesday.
NEW YORK – Former New York governor and current New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo has a lot to say about his running mates.
‘You need basic experience… to do this job’
What they’re saying:
Cuomo sat down for an interview with Rosanna Scotto and Curt Menefee on Good Day New York to discuss why Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani shouldn’t be mayor.
“Democratic Socialists of America are not Democrats,” Cuomo told the pair, referring to Mamdani’s allegiance to the DSA. “I am a Democrat.”
The former governor argues that Mamdani is “playing two different games” by identifying as a Democratic socialist while trying to appeal to the more moderate voters in the city.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani holds a campaign event with the healthcare worker’s union on September 24, 2025 outside of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx borough of New York City. Mr. Mamdani, who
But Cuomo also takes issue with Mamdani’s lack of experience, pointing out that the Democratic nominee is a two-term assemblyman who has “passed three bills.”
“This is not a job where you can do on-the-job training.”
Important to note that Mamdani has passed four bills during his tenure.
Cuomo also believes that Mamdani’s plan for the state to raise taxes on corporations is a “non-starter,” going so far as to say it would “never happen.”
When asked about his statement regarding the criticism Mamdani is currently facing for photos taken when he visited his native Uganda, Cuomo replied that there’s a “duality” to the mayoral candidate.
According to the New York Post, Rebecca Kadaga – the woman Mamdani was photographed with – was a key proponent of a law making consensual homosexual relationships in Uganda punishable by life in prison.
Cuomo responds to Mamdani photo controversy
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism for photos taken over the summer when he visited Uganda. FOX 5 NY’s Robert Moses has the latest details.
Cuomo’s policies
Local perspective:
Menefee reminded Cuomo of his push for cashless bail in 2019 – said bail reform law ended cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, but kept bail in place for violent crimes like murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Judges can also set bail if they determine it’s necessary to ensure a defendant returns to court.
“The principle is very sound… you shouldn’t be sent to Rikers just because you don’t have the money to make bail.” Cuomo goes on to say that he believes today’s version of the law is acceptable.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 21: NYC Mayoral Candidate Former Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference at the Times Square Sheraton on August 21, 2025 in New York City. Cuomo made a campaign announcement on his plan to fix education in N
Cuomo also still backs congestion pricing, but argues that this was the wrong time to implement it.
“We don’t want to create an obstacle to encourage [people] to stay home,” he explained, referring to employees who continue to work from home.
His major focus, if elected, would be to add jobs back to the city and build more affordable housing, as well as add 5,000 police officers to New York City “to take us back to full force.”
When is Election Day in NYC? Timeline, key dates
- Saturday, Oct. 25: Application for voter registration must be received no later than Oct. 25.
- Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2: The early voting period. Early voting hours vary.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Primary Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You can check your registration status online here.
To find your local poll site, click here.
“I Voted” stickers at a polling station during the New York City mayoral Democratic primary in the Queens borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. New Yorkers are heading to the polls Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate for mayor as a
Who’s ahead? Polls in the NYC mayor’s race
- (Fox News Sept. 18-22) A new survey of New York City registered voters found Mamdani leading the race by 18 percentage points with 45% support. Cuomo followed with 27%, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa with 11% and current New York City Mayor Eric Adams with 8%.
NYC election news today
How to track election results
Bookmark FOX 5 NY’s election results page to track results in real time when polls close on Tuesday, November 4.
The Source: This article includes information from a Good Day New York interview with mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo.
