Sadia J. Choudhury
New York, July 20, 2025— Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo took a jab at Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during a private breakfast with business leaders in the Hamptons on Friday, saying he would consider moving to Florida if Mamdani becomes New York City’s next mayor.
In a room full of CEOs and real estate executives, Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani last month, quipped:
“It’s all or nothing. We have to win — or even I will move to Florida. God forbid!”
The comment drew laughter from the audience but underscored Cuomo’s stark criticism of Mamdani’s progressive agenda. Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and current Assembly member from Queens, has proposed a slate of left-leaning policies, including a citywide rent freeze, higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and the establishment of publicly run grocery stores.
Cuomo didn’t hold back his disdain for his opponent, referring to him as “the kid” whose policies would, in Cuomo’s words, “kill the rental market and business confidence in the city.” He also lamented the lack of effective leadership in New York City, saying:
“We haven’t had a good mayor since Michael Bloomberg.”
When asked later about the remark, Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi clarified that the Florida comment was made in jest, adding: “Governor Cuomo was using humor to make a serious point about the risks of Mamdani’s platform to the city’s future.”
The comment comes amid growing concerns in New York’s business and real estate communities over Mamdani’s primary victory and his proposed policies. Florida business groups have already begun courting New York’s wealthy residents and CEOs, offering lower taxes and an easier regulatory environment — positioning Florida as a “Wall Street South” alternative to New York.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who was eliminated early in the primary, brushed off Cuomo’s remark. A City Hall aide told reporters: “If he wants to move to Florida, let him. He spends more time in the Hamptons anyway.”
Cuomo’s independent candidacy sets up a heated three-way race in November between himself, Mamdani, and the Republican nominee, real estate developer Daniel Goldman. Political observers say Cuomo’s path to victory will depend on consolidating moderate Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republicans alarmed by Mamdani’s left-wing proposals.
For now, the former governor appears to be leaning into his tough-on-crime, business-friendly record — and, if nothing else, his sense of humor — as the campaign season heats up.
