Mayor Adamss Biggest Backer in the State Capitol Endorses Cuomo

On Sunday, an assemblywoman who leads the Brooklyn Democratic Party and who has been a key backer of Mayor Eric Adams endorsed his main rival in the upcoming mayoral election, former Gov.Andrew M.

Cuomo.The decision by the assemblywoman, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, is one of the clearest signs yet that the winning coalition Mr.Adams built in 2021 has been completely fractured.

She is not only endorsing Mr.Cuomo but will serve as his senior political adviser, an honorary role.Ms.

Bichotte Hermelyn stood by the mayor when he was indicted on five federal corruption counts last year, and she remained at his side when he was accused more recently of entering into a quid pro quo with the Trump administration to secure the dismissal of those charges.But the fallout from that accusation, as well as record-low poll numbers and several serious challengers in the Democratic primary, have made Mr.Adams’s path to a second term rockier by the day.In her endorsement, Ms.

Bichotte Hermelyn said that Mr.Cuomo “never forgot his roots, or the importance of fighting for equality and opportunity,” She praised him for leading the “city through the darkest depths of the Covid pandemic” five years ago.“The governor has the experience and the record to hit the ground running and provide the leadership and the steady hand that we need,” Ms.

Bichotte Hermelyn said in an interview.“Throughout his career in public service, there has never been a fight too large, a problem too challenging or a crisis that Governor Cuomo couldn’t manage.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe....