Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo\u2019s camp rejected claims from “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that he is only seeking the mayorship to improve his chances of being president.<\/p>\n
Cuomo \u2013 along with struggling incumbent Eric Adams \u2013 <\/a>is viewed as one of the moderates in this year\u2019s crowded ranked-choice race for the nation\u2019s largest city, and he\u2019s currently leading the field.<\/p>\n Ocasio-Cortez, by contrast, is backing upstart socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani<\/a> \u2013 currently a state assemblyman from Astoria \u2013 and trying to prevent the New York Democratic scion from returning to politics.<\/p>\n “I have no idea where the far left got this silly new talking point,” Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi told Fox News Digital on Monday.<\/p>\n ANDREW CUOMO THE BIGGEST TARGET AS NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL PRIMARY SHIFTS INTO HIGH GEAR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “But, the governor has said that \u2013 death aside \u2013 he\u2019ll be finishing his own term.”\u00a0<\/p>\n While Cuomo has said he plans to be a national figure if elected mayor, he has not directly expressed intent to succeed President Donald Trump in 2028.<\/p>\n Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, said at a recent Mamdani event that Cuomo supposedly did make “clear he wants to run” for president.<\/p>\n SUBWAY MAYHEM SPURS CUOMO TO URGE HALT TO NYC’S NEW DRIVING TAX<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n She also bemoaned the “gentocracy” \u2013 an apparent reference to aging politicians, which, as of late, has been more of a feature of the Democratic Party \u2013 and said it is “unconscionable” to send the 67-year-old to Gracie Mansion.<\/p>\n