Real estate bigwigs are flocking to Andrew Cuomo in a last-ditch attempt to stop socialist Zohran Mamdani from becoming mayor — as the ex-governor shakes up his campaign staff just 56 days before the election.
Cuomo huddled with the dozens of deep-pocketed heavies Tuesday morning in the Seagram Building’s exclusive Pool Room — a nearly hour-long meeting hastily organized by Hudson Yards developer Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies.
With 56 days left until the election, Andrew Cuomo is shaking up his campaign in order to catch up with front-runner Mamdani. Kevin C Downs forThe New York PostThe former governor is the only candidate who could beat Mamdani, Blau wrote to his fellow tycoons in a desperate email obtained by The Post and first reported by The New York Times.
“If we fail to mobilize, the financial capital of the world risks being handed over to a socialist this November,” Blau wrote. “We cannot — and will not — let that happen.”
The get-together was also pushed by hedge fund billionaire and longtime Cuomo pal Gregg Hymowitz, Seagram Building co-owner Aby Rosen and prominent philanthropist Laurie Tisch, all of whom signed off on the email invitation.
Many in the Tisch family, excluding current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, collectively donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pro-Cuomo super PAC during the Democratic primary race, in which the ex-gov was ultimately trounced by Mamdani.
Most of the well-tailored suit-wearing set declined to comment after the meeting, but one attendee crowed about Cuomo’s competence compared to Mamdani’s.
“There’s no comparison,” the person said. “It’s like being in the ring with Muhammad Ali versus an amateur.”
The CEO of Warby Parker, Neil Blumenthal, was also among the roughly 120 people in attendance, per sources.
The bigs’ urgency comes as prospects of Mayor Eric Adams dropping out of the crowded race seemingly become more likely by the day amid chatter he’ll land a cushy job in President Trump’s administration.
Cuomo appointed Greg Goldner as his new campaign manager. Resolute Public AffairsSources also confirmed that a gig at Related Companies has been floated to Adams as a possible landing spot should he drop out, but Hizzoner has not shown interest.
“Related has never offered Mayor Eric Adams employment or any position — paid or unpaid — at any point in time, and has no intention of doing so,” a spokesperson said.
Cuomo, with Adams exploring his options, according to sources, has moved quickly to consolidate support as the anti-Mamdani candidate. He has scored a key union endorsement, met with the Rev. Al Sharpton and, most recently, overhauled his campaign staff.
He appointed a new campaign manager, Greg Goldner — a political operative from Chicago with a history of running against far-left mayoral candidates, albeit unsuccessfully.
Cuomo is also bringing on former Obama staff member Cornell Belcher for polling. Shannon Finney/NBC via Getty ImagesGoldner worked for Rahm Emanuel and created the super PAC that unsuccessfully tried to prevent progressive Brandon Johnson from becoming Chicago’s mayor in 2023.
“Greg is a tough-as-nails Chicago operative,” said campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi. “He saw what happened when that city got into the grips of socialism with public safety grinding to a standstill.
“He doesn’t want that to happen in New York City,” he added. “He moved halfway across the country to make sure it doesn’t.”
The hire was first reported by the New York Times.
Cuomo is also bringing on Cornell Belcher, who worked on former President Barack Obama’s campaigns, to do polling. He also hired North Shore Strategies for field operations and Beacon Media for ads.
But for all the 11th-hour changes, the campaign’s core leadership quartet — Cuomo, his longtime aide Melissa de Rosa, Azzopardi and key ally Charlie King — remains the same.
The campaign is also looking for a social media director, as sources said leaders are frustrated Cuomo isn’t gaining traction online like Mamdani, a bona fide TikTok phenom.
The behind-the-scenes shakeup comes as the latest poll had Cuomo losing to Mamdani 44-48 in a one-on-one matchup.
Since his defeat in the June primary, Cuomo has failed to pick up much ground, with his polling stuck in the mid-20s in repeated surveys.
“How the hell do you run a campaign and in the fourth quarter decide you need to rebrand — it’s a Hail Mary at best,” one disgruntled Cuomo backer said.
– Additional reporting by Haley Brown and Matthew Fischetti
