Riverdale officials withhold endorsements ahead of mayoral race

With the New York City mayoral election days away, some local elected officials are declining to endorse any candidate. 

The race includes state assemblymember and Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, followed by former governor and independent Andrew Cuomo, and lastly Republican Curtis Sliwa. As of Oct. 28, Mamdani has a double-digit lead over Cuomo in the polls, according to the New York Times — averaging between 42 and 52 percent. Cuomo is between 24 and 34 percent, and Sliwa is trailing behind at 9 to 18 percent.

Mamdani is running on making the city more affordable. Some of his key proposals include a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments, free buses and universal free childcare, paid for by raising the city’s corporate tax rate as well as income tax for those making over $1 million. 

Cuomo is also looking to address the high cost of living, and plans to build new affordable housing and other infrastructure, raise minimum wage to $20 an hour and hire more police officers. 

Sliwa, founder of the crime patrol group the Guardian Angels, wants to target public safety by expanding the police, as well as reduce taxes and repeal Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” housing initiative. 

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz and Council Member Eric Dinowitz have not publicly endorsed any candidate, and both told The Press they do not plan to. 

The assemblymember cited concerns over Mamdani’s comments on pro-Palestinian movements. 

“I think the refusal of a candidate to denounce the phrase ‘globalize the intifada’ makes me uncomfortable,” he said. “I think refusing to renounce support for [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] makes me uncomfortable. And the list will go on … I don’t plan to attack anybody, but that doesn’t mean I want to give my name to a candidate with whom I have some basic disagreements with.” 

“Globalize the intifada” was used often in pro-Palestine protests over the last two years, and refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israel in the 1980s and 90s, as well as 2000 to 2005.

Supporters interpret the phrase as a call for resistance. Others associate it with attacks by Palestinians during the Intifada movements and see it as a call to incite violence against Jewish people. 

In July, Mamdani said that he would not use the phrase “globalize the intifada” and would discourage others from doing so. 

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, refers to a movement that urges people and companies to stop giving money to Israel due to its treatment of the Palestinians. Mamdani has publicly supported BDS over the years. 

Regarding Cuomo, Assemblymember Dinowitz has historically only backed Democratic candidates, and said he does not want to endorse against the party. He noted that while the former governor “has some excellent accomplishments, he also has some pretty heavy baggage.” 

In Aug. 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James released an investigation stating Cuomo sexually harassed 11 current and former state employees, including non-consensual touching and suggestive comments. The U.S. Justice Department later said in 2024 there were at least 13 women. 

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021. The cases against him were later dismissed due to lack of evidence, and he has denied the allegations. 

His other major scandal involved claims from James that the governor’s administration underreported COVID-19 deaths in state-run nursing homes, which Cuomo partially admitted to. 

On policies, Assemblymember Dinowitz said he supported Mamdani’s proposal for free buses. But he questioned free grocery stores, as well as committing to a long-term rent freeze, saying it is important to reexamine each year and decide if that is still working for New Yorkers. 

Council Member Dinowitz, formerly an educator, took issue with Mamdani’s lack of comment on public education. 

While the mayoral candidate has a plan for K-12 public schools detailed on his website, it has not been a focal point on the campaign trail.

“This is a guy who did not make an endorsement as a sitting elected official in the race against Donald Trump in 2024,” he said. “Taking a page out of his book, I think it’s okay to have disagreements with someone whose views and experience are problematic for me.” 

According to a 2024 Politico article, Mamdani cast a blank ballot during early voting due to former President Joe Biden’s “actions to aid and abet” violence against Palestinians. 

The council member had similar worries about Cuomo as the assemblymember. But he made clear his attention was focused on ballot questions 2 through 4, which aim to fast-track affordable housing by giving more power to the mayor. 

“We need a mayor who’s going to be responsive to the needs of the local community,” he said. “Any mayor that’s elected I’m committed to working with to make sure the needs of my constituents are met.” 

State Sen. Rivera, on the other hand, has backed Mamdani since earlier this year. He said the two began talking at legislative meetings in Albany. 

“What happened during those conversations — and the reason I became an early supporter — is because I became convinced, not only does he have the vision to think about things that the city needs to do differently, but he has the humility to know what he doesn’t know,” Rivera said. “He understands that delivering effective government services has to be at the centerpiece of his administration.” 

The state senator also noted Mamdani has been “laser focused” on affordability during his campaign, and open to speaking to constituents on what they need. 

Regarding criticism of Mamdani, Rivera said misinformation has contributed to public perception of the candidate. He also pointed to Islamophobia, referring to an Oct. 23 radio interview with Cuomo where the former governor laughed after the host suggested Mamdani would celebrate another Sept. 11 terrorist attack. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced her endorsement of Mamdani in September but hasn’t publicly commented on the candidate otherwise. Gibson was not available for comment by press time. 

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres backed Cuomo earlier this year, saying he had the toughness to handle political extremism and city crime. But this support did not carry over after Cuomo lost the primary election. On Oct 23., Torres condemned Cuomo’s radio interview, calling it “disgraceful and disgusting” via X. The congressman was not able to be reached for comment by press time. 

Silwa has garnered support of the Bronx GOP, along with the rest of the boroughs’ Republican county chairs. An Oct. 21 statement reaffirmed the leaders’ “unequivocal support” for the candidate.

Early voting started Oct. 25, and will continue until Nov. 4. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the final day.