Say farewell to the old Andy.
Mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo revealed on Monday that he refrains from giving cheek kisses to others unless they initiate such gestures—the result of becoming more cautious after facing a “painful” sexual harassment scandal.
“I have learned a painful lesson, which is to be significantly more careful about everything I say, including any jokes or comments,” Cuomo shared on ABC’s The View.
“I won’t offer a kiss on the cheek unless the other person initiates it,” stated Cuomo, who previously served three terms as governor before resigning in 2021 amid allegations and impeachment threats. “There’s a genuine sensitivity that has developed and it must be honored.”
A 2021 investigative report by state Attorney General Letitia James found that Cuomo “harassed past and present state employees in violation of federal and state laws.”
The report depicted Cuomo, now 67, as a governor who engaged in “unwanted groping, kissing, hugging, and making inappropriate remarks” towards subordinates—one being a female state trooper.
Cuomo has insisted that James’ report was merely a politically driven smear campaign, asserting that numerous allegations were dismantled during subsequent criminal investigations and civil lawsuits initiated by accusers.
“Nothing emerged from those claims,” he remarked.
However, Cuomo reiterated, “If I have offended anyone, it was unintentional.”
The accusations of sexual misconduct and his resignation marked a notably painful chapter for both him and his family, he expressed.
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Now, Cuomo is running as an independent after a loss in the crowded June Democratic primary for mayor to socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
He’s campaigning as an independent under the “Fight and Deliver” banner in the general election scheduled for Nov. 4.
Also in the race is Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who is known for founding the Guardian Angels.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams opted out of the Democratic primary and is pursuing re-election as an independent but withdrew his campaign last week due to poor polling and dwindling support.
On The View, Cuomo asserted that President Trump and the Republican Party desire a Mamdani victory in New York City to link him to Democrats and their liberal ideologies in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
“Mamdani is a boon for [Trump]. He’ll use Mamdani’s image in his campaign, portraying it as reflective of the Democratic party’s descent into communism and disdain for law enforcement,” Cuomo stated.
