New York City Mayor Eric Adams will endorse former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he recently called a “snake” and a “liar,” in the election to replace him. In an interview with The New York Times, Adams said he would campaign with Cuomo in neighborhoods where he is most popular in hopes of convincing residents to vote for the former governor. The duo sat next to each other courtside Wednesday night at the New York Knicks game. “No better way to celebrate winning tonight’s debate than making it to the @nyknicks game in time for the 2nd half,” Cuomo said. No better way to celebrate winning tonight’s debate than making it to the @nyknicks game in time for the 2nd half pic.twitter.com/6DG5SVG9CB — Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) October 23, 2025 “Great win for the Knicks. We need to win for the city. Can’t go backwards,” Adams commented. Great win for the Knicks. We need to win for the city. Can’t go backwards. pic.twitter.com/U8iOv6EiMQ — Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) October 23, 2025 More from The New York Times: “I think that it is imperative to really wake up the Black and brown communities that have suffered from gentrification on how important this race is,” Mr. Adams said. “They have watched their rents increase in terms of gentrification and they have been disregarded in those neighborhoods, and I’m going to go to those neighborhoods and speak one on one with organizers and groups and I’m going to walk with the governor in those neighborhoods and get them engaged.” Mr. Adams has been critical of Mr. Mamdani, but he said in the interview that his motivation stemmed less from his distaste for the nominee and more from his interest in protecting New York City. It is far from certain if the mayor’s endorsement might meaningfully boost Mr. Cuomo’s campaign or if it could actually backfire. Mr. Adams has record-low approval ratings after facing federal corruption charges that were later dismissed by the Trump administration. Mr. Cuomo rose in the polls by 10 points after Mr. Adams left the race, suggesting that he has already won the backing of most of the mayor’s supporters. But Mr. Cuomo still trails Mr. Mamdani, a state assemblyman and democratic socialist, by double digits. Mr. Mamdani dismissed the news of the coming endorsement in a statement. “Today confirms what we’ve long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adam’s second term,” he said. “It’s no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the president himself. We are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas that these two disgraced executives embody and build a city every New Yorker can afford.” “The Art of the Deal,” Mamdani wrote on X in response to the news of the endorsement. The Art of the Deal. https://t.co/EZdka0OVu9 — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 23, 2025 “Andrew Cuomo is a snake and a liar. I am in this race, and I am the only one that can beat Mamdani,” Adams said last month before dropping his re-election bid. .@andrewcuomo is a snake and a liar, I am in this race, and I am the only one that can beat Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/VtWSKTXX3R — Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) September 5, 2025 CNN noted: Adams, who previously labeled Cuomo “a snake and a liar” days before deciding to drop his reelection bid, is expected to confirm the announcement at a press conference focused on childcare, two sources told CNN. “I can confirm that the Mayor will endorse former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for mayor and intends to campaign alongside him,” Adams spokesperson Todd Shapiro said in a statement. “The time and locations for their joint appearances are currently being finalized.” A spokesperson for the Cuomo campaign declined to comment. Adams’ endorsement comes on the heels of Cuomo’s final debate performance, after which he joined Adams courtside at the New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. In a photo posted to X, both men can be seen smiling and giving the thumbs up. During Wednesday’s debate, Cuomo said he was seeking and would welcome Adams’ endorsement. It is unclear what impact an Adams endorsement will have on the race. Adams was running in fourth place in public polling, behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, before he ended his reelection bid.