Dems Eying Andrew Cuomo as 2028 WH Dark Horse Pick

Democrats are starting to toss around the name of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a potential dark horse candidate for the 2028 presidential campaign.

Cuomo is days away from an expected announcement to campaign for mayor of New York City, but Democrats who are looking at Cuomo say that his brash style could position him as a candidate who could stand up against President Donald Trump's second-term actions, reports The Hill.

Cuomo and Trump often clashed in the spring of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Democrat strategist Jamal Simmons said that if the former governor becomes the mayor of New York, he could once again be a chief antagonist against Trump starting in 2026 — about the midway point in Trump's second term in office.

But Simmons acknowledged that Cuomo may be an "imperfect" messenger for the Democrats' ticket.

The former governor resigned from his post in 2021 after he was accused of alleged sexual harassment. Further, he has been heavily criticized for his handling of the pandemic, including his policy on placing COVID-19 patients in nursing homes, with families continuing to blame him for the deaths of their elderly loved ones.

Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.

But one Democrat strategist said that he doesn't think the party is "looking for purity anymore, or we shouldn't be."

"We need someone who's a strong messenger, who knows how to communicate to the public and is willing to put on the gloves and punch," the strategist said.

Even with the 2028 race still years in the distance, more than two dozen potential candidates could be staking their claim to the Democrats' nomination.

Several of the top potential contenders are governors, including Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California, and Wes Moore of Maryland.

Harris is also being mentioned for a return try at the nomination, as well as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Trump has teased seeking a third term in office, and even with a constitutional amendment being needed for that to happen, Democrats are saying they want someone who can take on MAGA Republicans.

"I think one of Andrew's strongest qualities is that people feel like he's fighting for them," said Democrat strategist Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party. "And that's the uniqueness of this moment. Candidates can't just sell their good governance. They have to be in the fight, and he proved that during the first Trump administration."

Polls in New York City are already showing Cuomo with a double-digit lead over Mayor Eric Adams for the Democratic Party primary. Adams was indicted in September on five counts of corruption and is pushing to have the charges dismissed.

However, some who have worked for Cuomo say he does not have a chance to get a spot on the Democrats' ticket for the White House even if he wins for mayor of New York City.

"There is absolutely no good reason for him to run for president," a former Cuomo aide said. "He's too damaged, and people won't let that go. He also represents the politics of the past. The Democrats can't look back. They need candidates of the future."