Cuomo May Seek To Challenge Hochul In Race For Governor: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — This year's June 28 primary may be heating up: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo may seek a run against Kathy Hochul, who replaced him after Cuomo resigned in August amidst a flurry of sexual harassment accusations, according to a report by CNBC.com.

According to the CNBC report, Cuomo is weighing a run after a report by Emerson College and The Hill showed him a few points behind fellow Democrat Hochul; supporters reportedly urged him to consider throwing his hat back into the proverbial ring, the post said.

A report by NBCnewyork.com said among possible Democratic primary voters, Cuomo is behind Hochul by just four points in the recent poll, which indicates 37 percent of Democratic voters would choose Hochul and 33 percent, Cuomo, with the 4.3 percent margin of error.

Hochul, meanwhile, is facing a challenge from Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is waging a primary, according to the New York Post.

CNBC said Richard Azzopardi, Cuomo’s spokesperson, told them in an email that he has not indicated whether he will make a run for Hochul’s seat.

When he resigned, Cuomo said as a New Yorker born and bred, he is a fighter. "My instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it was politically motivated ... If I could communicate the facts through the frenzy, New Yorkers would understand."

The resignation came amidst cries for his impeachment or resignation, with even President Joe Biden calling for the beleaguered governor to step down.

In January, according to the New York Times, the last of five investigations into the accusations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo ended with the conclusion that there was insufficient legal grounds to bring criminal charges.

The CNBC report also said that if Cuomo runs, he may not have the support of some in his party. And, the post said, the Emerson survey also revealed that 59 percent of all New York voters polled trusted the findings of state Attorney General Letitia James, which said he “violated federal and state law.”

Cuomo has continually denied the accusations.