Former Governor Andrew Cuomo launched his campaign for New York City mayor on Sunday, March 2nd. He positioned himself as a public safety candidate and secured endorsements from major labor unions. At a packed rally at the New York City District Council of Carpenters Union Hall, Cuomo criticized his opponents’ handling of crime and police funding while vowing to rebuild the city.
“The labor movement helped build this great city just as it built the middle class. But now too many working men and women just can’t afford to live here anymore,” Cuomo said. “We lost our way, but we know what needs to be done.”
The New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters and District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades officially endorsed Cuomo. The Carpenters Union represents over 20,000 skilled tradespeople, while District Council 9 represents 11,000 painters and artisans.
“Our delegates were unanimous: New York City needs Andrew Cuomo back,” said Paul Capurso, president of the Carpenters Union. “It’s not just because the streets were safer with him, or because of the massive projects he started and completed or for taking a state that was once ungovernable and made it function. It’s because he understood why those things mattered.”
Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary-treasurer of District Council 9, echoed that sentiment, pointing to Cuomo’s track record of delivering major construction projects. “We know that his leadership will continue to prioritize union workers, our members, and strengthen the entire construction industry – because when unions thrive, New York thrives,” Azzopardi said.
Cuomo’s campaign launch also focused on crime and public safety, issues he argued his opponents have mishandled. He criticized calls to cut NYPD funding, saying, “They uttered the three dumbest words ever uttered by a government official: ‘Cut police funding.’” He blamed those policies for what he described as a rise in disorder across the city.
Along with union endorsements, Cuomo has received support from several elected officials, including U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Brooklyn Democratic Party Vice Chair Henry Butler, and former Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Frank Seddio.
Cuomo remained focused on his campaign message, telling supporters, “There’s much work to be done and I thank my brothers and sisters in the Carpenters and the Painters for their support and their friendship as we work together to save this city.”
