WABC: Former Governor David Paterson, along with several other political leaders, held a press conference in Midtown to discuss New York City’s mayoral election.
The former governor of New York is calling on members of the Democratic party to come together to defeat current Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Paterson had previously supported former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s bid for mayor.
He declined to say who between Mayor Eric Adams and Cuomo should stay in the race.
“I’m really not here to represent any candidate,” Paterson said.
However, with three independent candidates currently in the race, he says there’s an urgent need for strategic unity in order to defeat Mamdani in the general election.
“This is really a job for someone who has experience, it’s a job for someone who can make a plan work, and it’s got to be someone who is going to consider the people in the city and not single them out for some type of retribution,” Paterson said.
Governor Paterson suggested that some candidates could withdraw to consolidate support and strengthen the chances of victory in a race with increasing voter fragmentation.
“The candidates themselves are not going to be able to work this time. It would have to be some kind of outreach to them to understand what the possibilities are at the same time, what is dangerous for the city to allow have happen at this particular time,” he added.
Paterson said it’s not too late to unite behind a candidate other than Mamdani, who he said isn’t experienced enough to lead the city.
