Cuomo admits he ‘miscalculated’ his primary loss, but what he’s doing on the streets of NYC might surprise you

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo spent his weekend touring all five boroughs of New York City, making appearances at various community events. His visits included stops at public housing cookouts in Harlem, bartending in Brooklyn, and walking in the Colombian Day Parade in Queens.

According to CNN, the independent candidate for mayor is taking a new approach to his campaign after losing the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani by 12 points last month. Cuomo’s new strategy involves direct interaction with New York City residents, listening to their concerns about the rising cost of living and other issues affecting the city.

In recent weeks, Cuomo has been openly reflecting on his primary campaign mistakes. He admitted he miscalculated how many young and first-time voters would participate in the election and acknowledged he didn’t work hard enough to meet voters on the streets. He also confessed to underestimating how important the affordability crisis and housing costs have become to New Yorkers.

Young voters and affordability remain key campaign issues

While Cuomo is now focusing more on street-level campaigning, he appears to be concentrating his efforts on his base, which includes sectors of Black New Yorkers and White working-class voters. During his visit to the Johnson Houses in East Harlem, many older Black residents welcomed him warmly, though he did face some criticism from occasional detractors.

The former governor has taken a critical stance against his opponent, Mamdani’s proposals, calling them overly simplistic and unrealistic. These proposals include a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments, free buses, and city-operated subsidized supermarkets in each borough. Instead, Cuomo suggests focusing on increasing housing supply as a solution to affordability issues.

Public safety remains a central part of Cuomo’s campaign message. He continues to describe the city as sometimes being out of control, seeking the kind of mayoral authority over New York City that would allow him to implement his vision, and proposes hiring more police officers to address what he sees as an ongoing crime problem. However, recent NYPD reports show declining rates in six of the seven major crime categories.

The race for City Hall has become increasingly complex with both Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams running as independents against Democratic nominee Mamdani. Cuomo has endorsed a proposal to support whichever Mamdani challenger polls highest in September, though he wouldn’t confirm whether his campaign is working to push Adams out of the race.