Andrew Cuomo’s campaign attorney recently issued a cease-and-desist letter to a union that endorsed his rival in the New York City mayoral race, according to POLITICO. The Manhattan-based Communications Workers of America Local 1180 was accused of making false and defamatory claims against the former governor in their campaign literature.
Union Endorsement and Allegations
The union endorsed Cuomo’s opponent, Adrienne Adams, who is the City Council speaker and poses a challenge to Cuomo’s base of Black Democratic voters. A super PAC supporting Cuomo has significantly outspent Adams, with $8 million in expenses compared to her upcoming ad campaign funded by a $2 million cash infusion from the city’s Campaign Finance Board.
Claims and Responses
The union’s flier, titled the “top 10 reasons” not to support Cuomo, aligned with the issues highlighted in Connor’s letter. Allegations included Cuomo not being a New York City resident, settling a Department of Justice probe on harassment allegations, and accusations of a cover-up of nursing home deaths during Covid.
Connor’s letter also disputed the claim that Cuomo is not a “friend” of workers, pointing out the support he has from politically influential unions despite calls for his resignation in 2021.
Legal Threats and Reactions
Connor threatened to involve elections officials and the state Attorney General Letitia James, who supports Adams, to address what he deemed as deceptive claims interfering with voter decisions. Union President Gloria Middleton and Adams’ campaign declined to comment on the issue.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, condemned the distortion of facts by Adams and her supporters, emphasizing the importance of truth in political campaigning.
Cuomo’s Defense and Controversies
The letter reflects Cuomo’s aggressive approach to silencing rival supporters before the primary elections, where he is predicted to win. It also highlights his campaign’s strategy to combat past scandals, including accusations related to Covid nursing home data and harassment allegations.
While some of Connor’s concerns are valid, others address common criticisms faced by Cuomo throughout his political career. The debate surrounding residency, DOJ settlements, tax policies, and labor negotiations are complex issues that have been scrutinized in various contexts.
Despite the controversies, Cuomo continues to defend his actions and leadership decisions, emphasizing his commitment to serving New York City and its residents.
