Jewish groups, mostly Orthodox, line up behind Cuomo for NYC mayor

Jewish political groups, mostly representing Orthodox communities, endorse former New York governor Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor, two days after incumbent Eric Adams dropped out of the race.

Community groups and local leaders issue a joint announcement backing Cuomo, saying, “We believe it is essential to speak with one voice at this critical time.”

“We are deeply concerned about the direction that mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani would take our city,” the statement says, citing his statements about police, his past support for the phrase “globalize the intifada,” and his “socialist policies that we believe would create chaos” and put their communities at risk.

Signees include the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance, the Association of Crown Heights Shuls, the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance, the Staten Island Jewish Coalition, the Queens Jewish Alliance, and Crown Heights United, and several local community leaders. Yesterday, another Jewish group in Crown Heights also endorsed Cuomo.

Adams, a longtime supporter of Israel and Jewish communities, dropped out of the race on Sunday amid poor polling numbers.

Cuomo is also an Israel supporter, but infuriated Orthodox Jewish communities when he instituted COVID restrictions on gatherings while serving as governor during the pandemic. Orthodox groups felt that the restrictions targeted their communities. Cuomo sought to make amends during the primary campaign.

The statement released today nods to those past tensions, saying, “While we may have had our differences with [Cuomo] during his tenure as governor, we need a leader who understands how to manage” the city government.

Many Jews were alarmed by the anti-Israel rhetoric of front-runner Mamdani, prompting their endorsements of Cuomo, despite their reservations.

Cuomo is polling far behind Mamdani ahead of the general election, but is ahead of the other contender, Republican Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo lost the primary to Mamdani, but is running in the general election as an independent. Adams sat out the primary to run as an independent.