Former four-term state Democratic Lawyer Common Robert Abrams ripped Zohran Mamdani as a “catastrophe for New York” whereas endorsing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor regardless of “all of his flaws.”
“It’s unthinkable to have Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York Metropolis,” Abrams, 87, informed The Publish completely in a Monday assertion.
“His financial, policing and security insurance policies can be a catastrophe for New York and his hatred for Israel is an affront to those that assist Israel—Jews and non Jews alike, in New York and all through the nation,” mentioned Abrams, who was the state AG from 1979 to 1993 and nonetheless resides within the metropolis.
“A mayoralty below Mamdani would cripple the tax base of New York Metropolis and make it much less secure for New Yorkers and vacationers,” mentioned Abrams, alluding to the Democratic front-runner’s proposed tax hikes on millionaires and firms to fund his socialist agenda.
“Andrew Cuomo, with all of his flaws, represents a safer selection for New Yorkers,” mentioned Abrams.
Abrams, who’s Jewish, argued that Mamdani would use the mayoralty to “undermine Israel, weakening assist for the one democratic state within the Center East, a robust ally of the USA and upholder of Western values.”
He cited Mamdani’s “unlucky lengthy historical past of anti Israel actions” and that he has “steadfastly refused” to sentence the rallying cry of “globalization of the intifada,” which many think about a name to assault and kill Jewish individuals.
Abrams additionally famous Mamdani failed to sentence Hamas for the general public executions of Gazans after the simply introduced cease-fire deal.
“At this delicate second in historical past, New York Metropolis can’t afford to show the mantle of management over to an inexperienced threatening voice,” the previous AG mentioned of the three-term Queens state assemblyman.
Abrams, who served on Cuomo’s transition workforce when the latter was elected legal professional basic, had beforehand mentioned the sexual misconduct scandal that pressured the Democrat to resign as governor have been a “stain” on his legacy.
Cuomo stepped down in 2021 following the barrage of accusations that he denies, and is mounting a comeback bid for mayor, operating as an unbiased after dropping the June Democratic major to Mamdani.
“His file of feat is plain and his assist for Israel has been steadfast. His mayoralty would deliver an skilled regular hand guiding our metropolis’s providers and insurance policies,” Abrams mentioned Monday.
Abrams served as state AG when the late Mario Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo’s dad, was governor.
His backing of Cuomo clashes with successor and present AG Letitia James, a number one Mamdani supporter who’s combating a mortgage fraud indictment introduced towards her by President Trump’s Justice Division.
Abrams supporting Cuomo, who’s operating on the unbiased “Struggle and Ship” poll line within the November 4 election, additionally comes as distinguished Park Avenue Synagogue Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove claimed Mamdani was a hazard to Jewish New Yorkers.
Abrams beforehand served as Bronx borough president. He was a professor of regulation on the Benjamin Cardozo Faculty of Legislation and was appointed by former President Invoice Clinton to the USA Holocaust Memorial Council.
Cuomo, Mamdani and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa are set to face-off for the second and closing time Wednesday at 7 p.m. throughout a debate hosted by NY1.
Early voting interval begins on Saturday, and New Yorkers have till October 25 to register to solid their ballots.
The Publish reached out to the Mamdani marketing campaign for remark.
