JUST IN: Mamdani Hit With Game-Changing Blow As Election Day Nears In New York City

New York’s embattled mayor Eric Adams is throwing his support behind Andrew Cuomo, an old ally, in the wild race to replace him, multiple sources tell CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer. The endorsement is expected to drop just two days before early voting kicks off.Sources say Adams and Cuomo are finalizing plans for a joint appearance later Thursday, cementing one of the most controversial political alliances New York has seen in years.

The move comes only a night after the two were spotted courtside at the Knicks’ home opener, just hours after the final mayoral debate wrapped.

Adams, who abruptly ended his own reelection bid in late September, has been loudly criticizing progressive socialist Zohran Mamdani, and insiders have been buzzing all week that he might line up behind Cuomo.

Cuomo — who resigned in disgrace in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations — lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani but has stayed in the hunt, polling second as the general election nears. One recent survey shows Mamdani holding a double-digit lead in the three-way matchup with Republican Curtis Sliwa, though a head-to-head between Mamdani and Cuomo would be a virtual toss-up.

Sliwa, however, has refused to drop out, even breaking ties with his longtime WABC radio boss, John Catsimatidis, to stay in the fight.

During Wednesday night’s fiery debate, the candidates clashed over federal immigration raids, Trump’s crackdown threats, and how to fix the NYPD — where, in rare agreement, all three backed Commissioner Jessica Tisch to stay in charge

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 10: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at a press conference held in LaGuardia Airport’s brand-new state-of-the-art Terminal B on June 10, 2020 in New York City.

Mamdani blasted Cuomo over his past sexual misconduct scandal, while Cuomo and Sliwa turned the heat on Mamdani’s anti-Israel record. They also sparred over mass transit plans and the looming closure of Rikers Island.

Adams, who took office in January 2022 after serving as Brooklyn Borough President, still appears on the ballot under an independent line despite bowing out on Sept. 28.

It’s been a brutal year for the outgoing mayor — from a federal bribery indictment (later dropped) to mounting questions about his ties to President Trump and the White House. Adams has maintained his innocence but watched his approval ratings nosedive. Polls showed him stuck in single digits behind Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa before he folded his campaign.

“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams said when he quit. “The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”