A coalition of black Queens legislators backed ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comeback bid for mayor over Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — and didn’t even bother to rank incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, it was revealed Saturday.
The endorsement by the 8-member group is a coup for Cuomo, a setback for Adrienne Adams, and stinging rebuke of the city’s second black mayor.
The majority of city and state lawmakers — nearly all of whom are from or near the speaker’s turf in southeast Queens — put Cuomo as their first choice in a ranked choice voting Democratic primary.
“The attempted comeback from Andrew Cuomo is nothing short of remarkable,” coalition member state Sen. James Sanders said Saturday.
But most also ranked Adrienne Adams second, a consolation prize but still a show of support.
No other candidate was rated, but some in the group said Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie was ranked third, while others didn’t rank him.
The group interviewed eight mayoral candidates last weekend before making a decision.
“We asked the candidates, `Who could take us out of this crisis in New York City? Who is best to steer us through these troubled waters,’” Sanders told The Post.
Sanders said Adrienne Adams was hurt by her late entry into the race, which came two weeks ago. Cuomo announced his candidacy on March 1 but had a longstanding shadow campaign — and its viability is what won over the coalition, Sanders said.
“There’s no question that if Speaker Adams had entered the race earlier she might have been our first choice. The cruel mathematics of the campaign favors those who enter the race earlier,” he said.
The primary will be held June 24 preceded by a week of early voting.
Sanders’ backing of Cuomo raised eyebrows, since he showed up and spoke at Adrienne Adams’ recent campaign kickoff for mayor. And Adrienne Adams’ spokeswoman, Lupe Todd, pointed out Sanders didn’t just show up at the speaker’s campaign rally kickoff.
“That’s really rich coming from an elected official who showed up at Adrienne’s announcement and spoke for 17 minutes,” said Todd.
The Cuomo campaign has warily eyed the entrance of Adrienne Adams, who is is black and not related to the mayor, into the race for City Hall as a potential threat to siphon off African-American votes in the primary.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 under the threat of impeachment amid sexual misconduct accusations that he denies.
His scandal-ridden third term as the state’s chief executive — particularly his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic — came up during the interview, lawmakers said.
But Cuomo’s overall record as governor and managerial experience overrode the negatives, said Assemblyman Clyde Vanel.
“Cuomo is an outstanding manager and visionary leader. He’s someone we need going forward ,” Vanel said.
Vanel emphasized that ranking Adrienne Adams is also a “big deal” in a ranked choice primary, though he acknowledged others would view it as a negative, with the speaker not even having united support in her own backyard.
State Sen. Leroy Comrie acknowledged Cuomo was the first choice of the coalition, but the vote wasn’t unanimous.
“The group supported Cuomo, I didn’t. I dissented. I support Adrienne,” Comrie said.
The screening committee also included Assembly members Khaleel Anderson, Lorinda Hooks and Alicia Hyndman and Councilwomen Selvena Brooks Powers and Nantasha Williams.
“It’s sad to see elected officials support a former governor who underfunded schools and closed hospitals in Southeast Queens,” said Todd.
“From the start, we knew the Cuomo camp would use pressure and intimidation because Adrienne is the biggest threat to his comeback tour. If they want to waste time playing politics, so be it,” she added.
Other candidates interviewed were Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, Comptroller Brad Lander and his predecessor, Scott Stringer; Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Assemblyman Michael Blake.
The Cuomo campaign didn’t comment.
