Cuomo attacks New York mayoral candidate Mamdani’s prostitution policy

Former New York State Government Andrew Cuomo In his attack on New York mayor rival Zohran Mamdani, an attack on prostitution issue.

Cuomo, who ran for the most populous city in the United States as independent mayor, hit him in double digits in the Democratic primary in June, believes that if the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist country congressman wins New York City in November, New York City will become the country’s prostitution capital. ”

Mamdani, whose victory over Cuomo and nine other candidates in the Democratic mayoral primary sent a political shockwave across the country, calls for decriminalization of sexual work when he runs for the state legislature for the first time in 2020.

As a state legislator, Mamdani co-sponsored the bill to legalize sexual behavior across the state.

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But he rarely commented on this issue during his 2025 campaign for mayor.

Asked on Sunday’s campaign, he’s criticized his stance on Cuomo and the current non-criminal prostitution. Mayor Eric Adams, “My focus on the sport has always been a city that makes every New Yorker affordable, where they are safe and where they live a dignified life,” said Mamdani, who is also an independent candidate seeking reelection.

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Cuomo said in a press conference on Monday that pointed out the comments and was asked yesterday whether he would instruct the New York Police Department to stop prostitution arrests. He didn’t say yes or no, but suggested that he follow suit Former mayor Bill de Blasio. ”

Cuomo has long been a critic of the former two-term New York City mayor De Blasio, noting that prostitution was arrested during his tenure at De Blasio.

“When it comes to prostitution arrests, he will imitate former mayor Bill de Blasio,” Cuomo claimed. “If you listen to him and you look at his policies, he will be de blasio 2.0, and I believe that’s the last thing the city needs.”

Supporters of decriminalization of prostitution believe that the move makes sex workers less vulnerable to exploitation and violence. But studies show that crime and human trafficking increase in areas where prostitution is legal.

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Since then, sex workers have poured in parts of New York City. Cuomo signed a law in early 2021 that repealed statues that were relaxed for prostitution purposes.

When asked about the bill, the former governor said: “The Wandering Act, I have to check it. I don’t remember that bill.”

But Cuomo emphasized this earlier on Monday, visiting the Roosevelt Street corridor in Queens, one of the areas where sex workers are rising sharply.

“There are signs of prostitution on the street. I talked to the store owners. They were very worried. They thought it was destructive to their business, destructive to their neighbors, and it had a big impact on children,” Cuomo said.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani will also become New York City’s first Muslim and first millennial if he wins the November election, and he is also criticized by Adams’ prostitution.

Mayor Eric Adams issued a public safety announcement on Staten Island on Monday, August 18, 2025. (Deirdre Heaveny/Fox News Numbers)

“I don’t know his Quran points out that it’s OK for a woman to sell her body on the street. I don’t know what Quran he is reading,” the mayor said on Sunday.

Mamdani swept the main victory, thanks to a dynamic sport that focuses primarily on affordability and the high cost of living in New York City. This is supported by supporters of grassroots military and the highest national progress champion, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Bernie Sanders of New York and Vermont.

Mamdani has cleverly used social media platforms including Tiktok, along with low-key voters. He proposed to eliminate fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, make CUNY (University of New York City) “no tuition fees”, freeze rent on municipal houses, provide “free parenting” for children under the age of 5, and establish a government-run grocery store.

The latest polls show Mamdani is a clear leader in cities where Democrats far outnumber Republicans.

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Curtis Sliwa, co-founder of Guardian Angels, is the Republican mayor nominee for the second straight election, and he is also on the ballot. The election vote was also Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor who ran for independence.

The Mamdani movement did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Cuomo’s criticism on Monday.