Cuomo, Mamdani rally forces in Queens as mayoral race enters final days

With the city’s mayoral election in the final stretch, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo both held rallies in Queens to make their final speeches to voters on a perfect fall Sunday.

Cuomo, a former New York governor, held a “rally in support of the Jewish State of Israel” at Kew Gardens, appealing to the neighborhood’s large Jewish community. Around 200 people were present.

Cuomo said his message to the crowd was crystal clear: that he stood with the Jewish people of New York and that Mamdani, if elected, would present a threat to New York’s Jews.

“We are fundamentally opposed to the idea that a mayor of New York can be a divisive force. [Mamdani] committed, the offense he showed to the Jewish community, he should be ashamed of himself,” Cuomo told the crowd.

Cuomo also focused on the Democratic nominee’s youth and relative lack of experience.

“We need a mayor who knows how to make government work and I have done that all my life,” he said, distinguishing himself from Mamdani, “who has never had a real job in his life.”

Cuomo also presented himself as a pro-business candidate, insisting, “We need to send a different signal to businesses. We need to tell businesses we want you to stay here,” and reiterated his plan to hire five thousand more police officers.

“I think he’s been very strong in favor of pro-Jewish values. I really appreciate that and I respect that,” said rally attendee Hershel Peiser, 23. Peiser, a Touro University student who said public safety is “by far” his top priority, said he intends to vote for Cuomo.

“I think he’s the best candidate for the city for the Jewish community.” »

Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, 68, also said his main issue was public safety. “Your fiduciary responsibility is to protect your citizens,” Moskowitz said. “If you can’t do that, there’s nothing left.”

Moskowitz, a former New York police officer who received an award from Cuomo’s father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, said he supports Cuomo “for two reasons.”

“He has a lot of experience with government and if he does bad things, fine. Nobody is going to have a perfect record. That’s the first thing,” Moskowitz said. Cuomo reigned as governor in 2021 after several women accused him of sexual harassment. He has also been criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Second, Mamdani represents an absolute danger to the Jewish community,” Moskowitz said. He expressed disappointment at the low turnout at the rally. “It’s nice outside today, so there should have been more people here.”

Meanwhile, in Forest Hills at Forest Hills Stadium, a packed house of about 1,000 people turned out for a rally in support of Mamdani.

City Comptroller Brad Lander circulated among the crowd, stopping to speak to the Daily News in a designated press area. “There’s so much energy in the streets,” Lander said. “Everyone is hungry to win this race.”

Lander, who ran as a Democratic candidate in the primary, has since become one of Mamdani’s most successful surrogates. “New York is not for sale,” Lander said. “There are so many people who are excited about why we are here tonight…and who wanted a different future for the city. Not the sour, selfish, bitter, racist policies of the past that Andrew Cuomo is proposing, but a hopeful, energetic, affordable policy of the future.”

At 6 p.m., the rally was just beginning. Several speakers are expected to address the crowd before the candidate takes the stage.

Originally published: October 26, 2025 at 7:02 p.m. EDT