By Maria Tsvetkova and Joseph Ax
NEW YORK (Reuters) -New York Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo to succeed him in a last-ditch effort to prevent the leftist Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani, from winning the November 4 election.
Adams and Cuomo, both moderate Democrats, warned that Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, was too extreme for New York, with Cuomo describing him as an "existential threat" to the city and Adams calling him a "snake-oil salesman."
Adams abandoned his own reelection campaign in September with his approval ratings at a record low, and it remains to be seen whether his endorsement will deliver a meaningful boost to Cuomo, who has trailed Mamdani in polls.
Adams' popularity plummeted after his indictment on bribery charges, a case that was dismissed by President Donald Trump's administration.
At a joint press conference, Adams said he would campaign in "Black and brown communities" in the race's final days to try to convince his supporters to back Cuomo. Adams is the second Black mayor in the history of New York City.
Cuomo thanked Adams, praising him for putting the welfare of the city above his own personal ambition.
"He believes Zohran is an existential threat to New York City, and we all have to do our best to make sure that Zohran does not become the next mayor," Cuomo said.
In response, Mamdani issued a statement attacking both men.
"Today confirms what we've long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams' second term," he said. "It's no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the President himself."
Trump, a native New Yorker who made his fortune in the city's real estate market, has made little secret of his disdain for Mamdani, calling him a communist and threatening to cut federal funding to the city if Mamdani is elected.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old Uganda-born New York assembly member, pulled off a surprising victory over Cuomo in the city's Democratic primary election.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations that he has denied, stayed in the race as an independent candidate with backing from donors who criticize Mamdani for his lack of experience and left-wing views.
Adams' endorsement came one day after the campaign's final debate, where Cuomo and Mamdani traded barbs alongside the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels anti-crime organization.
Cuomo has pressured Sliwa to quit the race, a move that could help the former governor come within striking distance of Mamdani, but the Republican candidate has refused.
Cuomo was seen sitting next to Adams at the New York Knicks season-opening game on Wednesday night, soon after the debate ended.
Early voting in the election begins on Saturday.
(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova and Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
