Cuomo tells WINS he's out to fix 'broken' NYC government: 'You feel it on the street, you feel it in the chaos'

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo poses for a portrait outside the 72nd St. Q Station on July 16, 2025

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Back on the campaign trail as an independent candidate for mayor, Andrew Cuomo told 1010 WINS on Thursday that he’s the one to fix a “broken” New York City government.

In an interview with WINS reporter Juliet Papa, the former governor said voters citywide have been telling him their concerns, including affordability, which has become a top issue in the crowded mayoral race.

“You have to be building more housing,” Cuomo said. “Why didn’t we do it? Well, because New York City is just a broken government.”

Cuomo’s fix? Get hands-on. A former secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, he said he'll push to put city-owned sites out for bid, unlock unused air rights, and redevelop formerly industrial zones to jumpstart housing production.

"You have churches, you have synagogues, you have mosques that have property and want to partner on development. You have unused industrial zone areas," he said.

Cuomo says his roles as New York governor and HUD secretary will be some of the experience he taps to fix city government

Cuomo argues the city’s problems aren’t just structural — they’re experienced day to day by New Yorkers.

“When I say government of the City of New York is broken, you feel it on the street, you feel it in the chaos,” he said.

He gave the example of out-of-control e-bike and moped riders. “You can’t figure out how to cross the street, you have to have your head on a swivel,” he quipped. “You develop a neck condition in so many different ways.”

He’s for more enforcement of riders, reducing the speed limit and making delivery apps more accountable.

Cuomo launched his third-party bid for mayor earlier this week in a social media video declaring, “I'm in it to win it.” His revamped campaign comes just weeks after Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory over him in the Democratic primary. The 33-year-old lawmaker defeated Cuomo, 67, by 12 points. Cuomo has said the primary only reflected a fraction of voters, and now he's making his pitch to the larger electorate.

Cuomo gave Mamdani credit for an effective campaign that has energized many New Yorkers, but he also dismissed some of his proposals, like having city-run grocery stores.

Cuomo is facing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (pictured), as well as Mayor Eric Adams, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden

“Opening one grocery store per borough? That’s not really the answer to affordability on groceries,” Cuomo said, echoing remarks he made in his new campaign video, in which he said Mamdani “offers slick slogans but no real solutions.”

Cuomo is also wary of Mamdani’s alternative policing strategies. “Public safety is essential. And if you don’t get that, yeah—you’re dangerous,” he said.

The former governor has also reignited an old battle: who controls the subway. His proposal is sweeping—shift management of the MTA to the city.

“Let New York City manage it,” he said. “New York City is already responsible for the safety; NYPD does the safety in the subway system. Let us do the management. Let us clean the subway stations.”

With Election Day less than four months away, Cuomo has plenty of company in the race. In addition to Mamdani, he's facing Mayor Eric Adams and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden, both independents, as well as the Republican candidate, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, in a contest that has had plenty of twist and turns already.