Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is refusing to bow out of politics, even after losing the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. On Monday, Cuomo confirmed in a social media video that he’s running as an independent in the general election, saying he’s “in it to win it” despite defeat by socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani last month.

Cuomo’s announcement, posted to X, revealed he’ll be running on a newly formed “Fight and Deliver” ballot line. The November race now features an unusual four-way split between Mamdani, Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and sitting Democratic Mayor Eric Adams—who, like Cuomo, is also ditching the party label to run as an independent.

In the video, Cuomo acknowledged his primary loss and low voter turnout, with only 13% of New Yorkers casting ballots. But he framed his comeback as a call to action. “The fight to save our city isn’t over,” he declared, blasting Mamdani as a man of “slick slogans but no solutions.” He portrayed himself as the only serious candidate with the leadership experience necessary to address New York’s spiraling cost of living, crime, and housing challenges.

But Cuomo’s video struggled to gain traction. Within an hour, Mamdani’s reply mocking the announcement had outperformed Cuomo’s own post, a sign of the uphill climb the former governor faces in a city increasingly dominated by left-wing voices. Social media users piled on, with the video quickly racking up more replies than likes—a classic “ratio” often seen as public rejection.

Cuomo’s campaign pitch included promises for safer streets, more affordable housing, and accessible childcare—ironically echoing several planks of Mamdani’s own far-left platform. Mamdani, a rapper-turned-assemblyman with past controversy over how he racially identified himself on college forms, has quickly become a progressive darling. But critics have highlighted his support from fringe figures and a super PAC with ties to both a Chinese billionaire and a radical cleric linked to terrorist sympathizers.

Even before the primary results were certified, Cuomo had hinted he regretted stepping down as governor in 2021. That resignation followed a scathing sexual harassment investigation, though Cuomo dismissed the accusations as misunderstandings born of his “endearing” and “joking” demeanor. Now, as he seeks a political comeback, he’s leaning heavily on his executive record, insisting New Yorkers need someone with real governing chops.

But Cuomo’s past continues to haunt him. His administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly a directive that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, has drawn enduring criticism. Thousands of nursing home residents died after the order was issued in March 2020, with Cuomo’s team accused of downplaying the true death toll.

Still, Cuomo clearly sees an opening in a fractured political field. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has lost the trust of many Democrats and is fending off challenges from all sides. Mamdani, though popular on the far left, is seen by moderates as too radical. And Republican Curtis Sliwa faces an uphill battle in deep-blue New York.

Cuomo’s strategy appears to hinge on turning that chaos to his advantage. With low voter turnout and fractured opposition, he may hope to thread the needle by attracting moderate Democrats, independents, and disaffected Adams supporters. Whether he can pull off the upset remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Cuomo isn’t going quietly.

The former governor’s re-entry adds more volatility to an already chaotic race—and ensures the next few months in New York City politics will be anything but boring.