Controversial former governor Andrew Cuomo, accused of sexual harassment, announces his candidacy for mayor of New York City

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy for mayor on Saturday. He argued that "the city is in crisis" and needs "effective leadership." His candidacy marks his return to politics after resigning in 2021 over accusations of sexual harassment.

"We need government to work" he stated in a post on X. "We need effective leadership," he added.

A competitive electoral landscape

The Democratic primary is scheduled for June, and Cuomo will compete against the current mayor, Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election despite allegations of bribery and fraud. Although the Department of Justice ordered the charges against him dropped, the mayor faces mounting political pressure.

Cuomo had already hinted at his interest in the Mayor's office before Adams faced legal problems. However, his candidacy is divisive, as an independent investigation concluded that he sexually harassed several women and that his administration maintained a hostile work environment. Although he denies the allegations, the Department of Justice report noted violations of federal retaliation rules.

Other challengers in the race include city comptroller Brad Lander, state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, former comptroller Scott Stringer, and state Sen. Jessica Ramos.

Cuomo leads in polls

Early polls show Cuomo with an advantage in the Democratic race. According to a February Emerson College Polling survey, he has 33% support among primary voters, compared with 10% for Adams. Another Honan Strategy Group poll places him with 35% support, followed by Lander.

Despite his lead in the polls, his candidacy continues to generate debate due to his record. With a highly competitive electoral scenario, the New York mayoral race promises to be one of the most hotly contested of the year.