Sources told CNN that Cuomo's team believes the general electorate could be more receptive to his candidacy than primary voters.

New York Mayor Eric Adams is kicking off his independent reelection bid. He says Thursday at City Hall that the race is a choice between a blue-collar candidate and one with a silver spoon, referring to likely Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.

The left-wing state Assemblyman has repeatedly cited one sitting mayor as a person whose time in office inspires him: None other than Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu. In the first debate in that race, he went so far as to name Wu as the most effective Democrat in the nation. He has often cited her as a politician he would emulate.