Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign account paid a polling firm nearly $68,000 earlier this year to test his popularity as he plots a political comeback — including eyeing a run for New York City mayor
Cuomo, the former three-term governor who resigned in disgrace in August 2021 amid a slew of sexual misconduct claims that he denies, paid the firm Expedition Strategies $67,739 on January 20.
The purpose? “Polling costs,” the Friends of Andrew Cuomo campaign committee said in its semi-annual report filed with the state Board of Elections.
He previously retained the polling firm in 2022.
Cuomo was a political outcast in the months following his resignation, but he has fought his way back to semi-relevance, starting his own podcast, founding a pro-Israel group that’s run ads slamming pro-Hamas protesters and making appearances at churches and civic groups.
The ex-gov has for months been courting support among the city’s black and Jewish communities and kept up contact with key unions in the state, political insiders said.
“I think he’s running for mayor. I just have that feeling,” said the Rev. Ruben Diaz, the Donald Trump-supporting former councilman and state senator who had Cuomo speak before his group of Bronx Hispanic ministers after the Democrat left office.
Some sources think Cuomo might jump into the race for mayor — even if it means challenging incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
But Frank Seddio, the former Brooklyn Democratic leader who is friendly with both Cuomo and Adams, said the ex-governor is keeping his options open and likely won’t run for mayor if the incumbent is in the race.
“If Eric is not running, Andrew is the front-runner,” Seddio said.
Cuomo — who has spoken at Seddio’s Democratic club and has dined with him — has “political ambitions” that could extent far beyond Gracie Mansion or Albany, said the longtime ally.
“I believe his ultimate goal is to run for president,” Seddio said.
“I’ve known Andrew since he was a teenager — when I ran his father Mario’s 1977 campaign for mayor in Brooklyn,” Seddio said, referring to the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
“Andrew is one of the most brilliant people in politics. The brilliant people in politics are also the most difficult,” he added.
Cuomo, via a spokesman, declined comment on his polling and referred The Post to a dodgy comment he recently made on the “Real Time with Bill Maher” show.
“Are you running for mayor or governor?” Maher asked.
“There will be no direct answer, I just want you to know,” Cuomo quipped.
“I have no current plans to make plans.”
Sources close to Cuomo said earlier this year there was no shot the ex-gov would enter the mayoral race unless Adams was out of the running — but the ongoing federal probe into Hizzoner’s campaign finance and his historically low
Aside from the sex harassment scandals, some of Cuomo’s decision in office have been criticized — putting recovering COVID patients discharged from hospitals into nursing homes during the peak of the pandemic and approving the unpopular cashless bail law and congestion pricing.
Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said a Cuomo comeback would have to be taken seriously, though he has shortcomings.
“Andrew Cuomo would be a formidable candidate for whatever office he decides to pursue. [But] he has something in short supply — competence,” Torres said.
“I am simply commenting on Andrew Cuomo generally. I have no comment on the mayoral election.”