Democratic South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, whose backing of former President Joe Biden proved instrumental during the 2020 Democratic primaries, endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor on Friday.
Clyburn, who was once the highest-ranking black member of Congress, said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation that he is “proud to join the endorsers of Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.” The South Carolina Democrat added that he believes the New York mayor is “uniquely positioned to play an important role in the future of the National Democratic Party.”
“I am proud to join the endorsers of Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City,” Clyburn wrote in the statement. “I’ve known Andrew Cuomo since his days as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton administration. We worked together on housing and urban development issues, fighting for the underserved, most especially communities of color. As Governor of New York, he demonstrated an uncanny ability to make real progress and get lasting results. The Sumter-Columbia Empowerment Zone established under his leadership is still in existence and functioning efficiently and effectively.” (RELATED: New Poll Spells Good News For Cuomo’s Mayoral Bid)
Clyburn, who has previously been referred to as a “kingmaker,” notably endorsed Biden ahead of the 2020 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, which played a key role in Biden winning the state’s contest and later the Democratic presidential nomination.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 16: NYC mayoral candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Rally at the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council building on June 16, 2025 in New York City. Cuomo attended a GOTV rally with members of several unions as early voting in the crowded Democratic primary to replace Mayor Eric Adams. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“Andrew does not just go along to get along. He searches for solutions and builds coalitions to reach common ground,” Clyburn wrote in the statement. “If he says he will build more affordable housing, raise the minimum wage, make the city safer and create more opportunities for our youth, you can be confident that he will — because he’s done it before. His record of accomplishments is extraordinary, and I am confident he will be a great mayor of New York.”
“The mayor of New York is uniquely positioned to play an important role in the future of the National Democratic Party,” Clyburn wrote further. “Our party faces significant challenges dealing with the Trump administration that seems to be challenging the pillars of our democracy. The mayor of New York will need to meet that challenge and defend the city’s autonomy.”
Additionally, Clyburn wrote in the statement that he believes Cuomo has “the experiences, credentials, and character to not just serve New York,” but also to “help save the nation.”
“He [Cuomo] has my wholehearted support, and I urge my fellow Democrats to vote for him and do so enthusiastically,” Clyburn wrote.
On Monday, the New York Times editorial board discouraged voters from supporting far-left Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, writing that Mamdani’s political agenda was “uniquely unsuited” to the city’s “challenges.” Some recent reports have indicated that Mamdani could face difficulty winning over black voters in the mayoral race.
Meanwhile, the editorial board stated that while they think Cuomo “has his own significant shortcomings,” he also “has the strongest policy record of the [mayoral] candidates.”
When reached for comment, Clyburn’s office referred the DCNF to his statement. Cuomo’s campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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