After backing Cuomo, former Gov. David Paterson endorses Mayor Adams

As political endorsers go, David Paterson carries the clout of a high-profile Democrat, the first Black governor of New York and a fixture of Harlem politics.

But on Wednesday, Paterson made what amounted to a tacit admission that his political instincts had recently been off — by announcing his support for Mayor Eric Adams’ re-election bid.

The announcement from New York’s 55th governor was a dizzying about-face. In the Democratic primary, Paterson endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lost. After the primary, Paterson backed a consolidation proposal in which all the candidates running against front-runner Zohran Mamdani would pledge to support whoever led in the polls.

Adams, who has 7% support in the latest Siena poll, “is kicking it into high gear,” Paterson said.

While standing on the steps of City Hall, Paterson argued Cuomo would be a “national hero” if he dropped out of the race. As for the consolidation plan, “None of the candidates seem particularly interested, so I consider the issue to be moot.”

“He is taking no prisoners,” Paterson said of Adams, who avoided becoming a prisoner himself even after an unprecedented corruption indictment. The mayor has been unable to secure critical matching funds due to ongoing questions about his campaign related to that indictment on campaign finance and bribery charges, which have since been dismissed.

Paterson called Adams “an individual who is dynamic, articulate, receptive, courageous and outspoken.”

Paterson now becomes the highest-profile Democrat to back Adams, who is running as an independent.

The Siena poll shows a two-man race between Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, and Cuomo, who is also running on an independent line. Mamdani leads with 44% support, followed by Cuomo with 25% and Republican Curtis Sliwa with 12%. Adams is in fourth place.

Asked about his switch to Adams, Paterson pointed to the fCuomo’s poor primary performance. He said he did not think the former governor was “as present” as he should have been in the final stretch.

Paterson is among those who have cast doubt on Mamdani’s ability to fulfill his campaign pledges, which include free buses and universal child care. On Tuesday, Paterson likened the democratic socialist’s candidacy to a “forest fire” and said he did not believe Mamdani would be able to pay for his proposals.

He suggested the anti-Mamdani candidates needed to unite in order for Adams to have a shot.

“All I'm going to say is, if one of the other candidates did get out,” Paterson said, referring to Cuomo, “I think the mayor would win.”

A spokesperson for Cuomo’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Adams said Paterson could offer a jolt to his campaign.

“I can't be any clearer that we have yet to tell our story,” Adams said. “And having Governor Paterson being able to articulate to show us how to continue to get our story out is a real win.”