2 former governors resigned in scandal. Now they want to be mayors.

Second Chances for Scandal-Plagued Politicians: A Curious Political Landscape

In a political climate where past misdeeds sometimes seem to fade faster than voters’ memories, two former governors are making unlikely bids for redemption. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jim McGreevey of New Jersey, both of whom resigned amid scandals, are now positioning themselves to lead major cities across the Hudson River. They are banking on the idea that weary voters may prioritize executive experience over personal flaws.

Cuomo, who exited the governorship in 2021 following serious sexual harassment allegations, has officially kicked off his campaign for mayor of New York City. Meanwhile, McGreevey, who left office in 2004 after revealing an extramarital affair, is seeking to take the reins of Jersey City, New Jersey’s second-largest city.

Despite being from the same political party, both candidates may find themselves unexpectedly bolstered by the “Trump effect,” where the scrutiny of character has been significantly relaxed. This phenomenon allows them to sell their executive track records without excessive focus on their past scandals.

Neither campaign appears keen on acknowledging the other, but both gubernatorial hopefuls are touting their executive experience as a key asset. McGreevey is focusing on fundamental issues such as public safety, clean streets, affordable housing, and the growing nuisance of e-bikes. “I think folks want a record of getting something done and working hard,” McGreevey stated in a recent interview.

Cuomo sings a similar tune, claiming, “I don’t think there’s been a governor in modern political history that has accomplished more things than I have accomplished,” during an interview with Stephen A. Smith. He has not shied away from taking shots at opponents who lack executive experience, suggesting that their legislative backgrounds have led to ineffective governance.

This narrative may be a thinly veiled critique of recent Democratic mayors, many of whom were legislators before stepping into the mayoral spotlight and have since stumbled into notoriety. This unfortunate group includes New York’s Eric Adams, former mayor Bill de Blasio, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and recently ousted San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

It’s easy to see how voters might view the executive experience of Cuomo and McGreevey as a silver lining, albeit one marred by their respective scandals. “Their reputation certainly precedes them, right?” observed Micah Rasmussen, previously a McGreevey aide and now the director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.

The rarity of governors being forced out of office makes Cuomo’s resignation particularly notable; he ranks as only the 56th individual in American history to resign or be ousted from that position, according to the Pew Research Center. While some in this exclusive club have sought to revive their political careers—with varying degrees of success—others like Rod Blagojevich and Robert Bentley found themselves legally barred from future office.

McGreevey’s resignation is starkly remembered for his declaration, “I am a gay American,” a significant moment in a less accepting era. However, his departure was not solely due to his sexual orientation; it was also tied to a series of scandals, notably hiring his lover as a homeland security adviser shortly after 9/11 without the necessary credentials. Since then, McGreevey has embarked on a spiritual journey, dedicating over a decade to assisting prisoners reintegrate into society. His 2023 campaign launch video, titled “Second Chances,” juxtaposes his former self with a contrite version of McGreevey today, claiming to have learned from his past mistakes.

In contrast, Cuomo has spent recent years entangled in legal battles to clear his name, launching his campaign with a lengthy video that only briefly touches on the allegations that forced his resignation. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, attributing the allegations to a coordinated effort by political adversaries, with no criminal charges ultimately filed against him.

Basil Smikle Jr., a former head of the New York Democratic Party under Cuomo, notes that ex-politicians often make comebacks by biding their time and embarking on a “mea culpa” tour to gauge public sentiment. The political landscape has shifted dramatically, and figures like Trump—who faced impeachment and criminal convictions—have shown that voters may overlook past indiscretions if the promise of political disruption is on the table.

McGreevey is vying for a nonpartisan general election seat this fall with the support of a prominent North Jersey power broker. Cuomo, on the other hand, is entering a competitive primary against Adams, who, despite his own legal troubles, remains a formidable opponent. Another contender, Scott Stringer, once a frontrunner in the 2021 Democratic primary, saw his campaign derailed by allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.

Smikle suggests that Cuomo might also be appealing to the same Black and Hispanic voters who shifted toward Trump in the previous election. “I think the Trump voter and the potential Cuomo voter want the same thing—there is an interest in political disruption, and they are willing to overlook the past if it means achieving change that benefits them today,” he explains.

The trajectory from governor to mayor is not unheard of, even for those who haven’t been embroiled in scandal; for example, Delaware’s term-limited Gov. John Carney is now the mayor of Wilmington. If Cuomo truly harbors ambitions of returning to the governorship, he could take a page from former California Gov. Jerry Brown, who made a comeback after a series of political setbacks.

As both Cuomo and McGreevey re-enter the political arena, they are not without support from established allies. Cuomo benefits from backing by the city’s carpenter’s union and Representative Ritchie Torres, who believes the city needs a “Mr. Tough Guy.” Meanwhile, McGreevey has been encouraged to run by Hudson County power broker Brian Stack, who also serves as a state senator and mayor of Union City.

Although both candidates have deep roots in the cities they aim to serve, critics often accuse them of carpetbagging and conducting me-centric campaigns. When McGreevey announced his candidacy, rival Bill O’Dea remarked that his campaign would focus on “the people” rather than “anything related to my own ego,” casting a shadow over McGreevey’s motivations.

Stringer, in a pointed comparison, likened Cuomo to the disgraced former state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who attempted to revive his political career with a bid for city comptroller but ultimately lost to Stringer.

Rasmussen, who witnessed McGreevey’s resignation firsthand, posits that the decline of local media might be facilitating this trend of governors entering local races. With candidates facing increasing difficulty breaking through the noise, established politicians come with intrinsic name recognition—though, as demonstrated, this recognition can be a double-edged sword.