Andrew Cuomo Says He’ll Move to Florida If Zohran Mamdani Becomes NYC Mayor.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stunned guests at a Hamptons breakfast over the weekend when he quipped that he’d move to Florida if Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race.
“It’s all or nothing. We either win — or even I will move to Florida. God forbid!” Cuomo said to a crowd of business leaders and donors gathered at 75 Main in Southampton.
The remark, delivered with a smirk, reportedly drew laughs, though Cuomo’s campaign later insisted he was joking. The event, hosted by supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, included top figures like Bruce Mosler, Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, and longtime Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa.
As reported in The New York Times, Cuomo used the moment not only to deliver one-liners but also to attack Mamdani’s policies — particularly the 33-year-old Assemblyman’s proposal to freeze rents on stabilized apartments, which Cuomo called a “death sentence” for the city’s housing market.
Cuomo and the “Kid”
Throughout the breakfast, Cuomo repeatedly referred to Mamdani as “the kid” and painted his platform as dangerously naive. According to Cuomo, proposals like rent freezes and city-owned grocery stores ignore the practical realities of running a major city.
“You freeze rents, landlords stop maintaining buildings. It’s basic economics,” he warned.
Cuomo is now running as an independent in the November general election after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is also running as an independent amid sagging approval ratings and multiple investigations.
The former governor didn’t hold back on Adams either, accusing him of being distracted by scandals and lacking focus.
“The city hasn’t had a competent mayor since Bloomberg,” Cuomo claimed. “It feels out of control.”
Mayor Adams responded with a jab of his own:
“If he’s serious about moving to Florida, he should go ahead — he’s already spent three weekends in the Hamptons.”
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a 33-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020. Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, he’s the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.
A self-described Democratic Socialist and member of the DSA, Mamdani has built his campaign around bold progressive proposals, including:
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A rent freeze for stabilized apartments
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A $30 minimum wage by 2030
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Fare-free city buses
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Publicly owned grocery stores
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Universal childcare
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Tax hikes on luxury real estate and large landlords
He’s gained support from progressive heavyweights like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Jumaane Williams, and is currently leading in most polls.
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What’s Next for NYC?
Cuomo’s Florida joke may have been offhand, but it reflects a deeper political panic within the city’s traditional power base. With Mamdani’s grassroots movement gaining steam and Adams struggling to regain credibility, New York is barreling toward one of its most ideologically polarized elections in modern history.
For Cuomo, this may be the last stand — and for Mamdani, the beginning of a radical reshaping of City Hall. One thing’s certain: whoever wins in November, New York will never be the same.
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FAQ's Andrew Cuomo / Zohran Mamdani
Why did Andrew Cuomo say he would move to Florida?
Cuomo joked that he’d move to Florida if Zohran Mamdani becomes NYC mayor, using the line to highlight what he sees as the high stakes of the election and his strong opposition to Mamdani’s socialist platform.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is a 33-year-old Queens Assemblyman and Democratic Socialist who’s currently leading the NYC mayoral race. Known for bold proposals like rent freezes and free public transit, he’s backed by progressive figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders.
Is Andrew Cuomo still running for mayor in 2025?
Yes. After losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, Cuomo is continuing his campaign as an independent candidate in the November general election.
