NEW: Once Prominent Democrat Governor Announces Return To Politics

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be returning to politics by seeking to replace Eric Adams as Mayor of New York City. The move comes after months of speculation over whether the once prominent Democrat would return to politics after resigning in 2021.

“Our city is in crisis. That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City. We need government to work. We need effective leadership,” Cuomo announced in an X post on Saturday.

In an accompanying video statement, Cuomo acknowledged that  the city is dealing with issues of rampant homelessness, spiking crime and “random violence” on the city’s subway lines. “We know that our New York City is in trouble,” the former governor said in the launch video. “You feel it when you walk down the street and try not to make eye contact with a mentally ill homeless person, or when the anxiety rises up in your chest as you’re walking down the subway.”

“The city just feels threatening, out of control and in crisis,” he added before placing blame on the city’s current leaders. In terms of policy, Cuomo called for the hiring of more police officers, along with tougher stances on crime and homelessness.

He placed particular influence on the random acts of violence that have generated national headlines in recent months, including one case in which a homeless woman was burned alive. “Government just has to get out of its own way and get it done,” Curomo said of the homelessness crisis, which has fueled the random acts of violence.

Cuomo, who was once viewed as a potential presidential candidate, resigned in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations. He has since expressed regret over the decision and has criticized current Governor Kathy Hochul on numerous occasions.

Current Mayor Eric Adams is also running for re-election, though he faces an uphill battle after he was indicted by the Biden Department of Justice in a controversial case. The Trump Administration has moved to quash the indictment, though Hochul and other Democrat leaders have called for his resignation.