Jamal Simmons, who served as communications director for former vice president Kamala Harris, is now pitching disgraced ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo as a top Democratic contender for the White House in 2028.
"If Andrew Cuomo becomes mayor of New York, he could very well be Trump's chief antagonist starting in 2026, which could give Democrats a voice to rally around, however imperfect a messenger he may be," Simmons told The Hill.
Cuomo, who is reportedly preparing a run for New York City mayor, resigned as the state's governor in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment and backlash over his administration's handling of COVID-19 deaths. Cuomo allegedly made unwanted advances toward multiple women in his office, according to a five-month investigation by the state attorney general's office. During the pandemic, his Department of Health "misled the public" and concealed the deaths of thousands of senior citizens after he signed an executive order that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, according to an audit by the state comptroller's office.
Simmons has a history of floating unusual ideas. Soon after Harris's defeat to President Donald Trump, Simmons suggested that then-president Joe Biden resign to make Harris the first female president for two months. The move, Simmons argued, would help Democrats by improving the party's image and undercutting Trump's "45-47" merchandise branding.
Some Democrats expressed their support for Cuomo, though they refrained from saying he should run for president.
Former New York Democratic Party executive director Basil Smikle told The Hill that Cuomo makes "people feel like he's fighting for them."
"Candidates can't just sell their good governance," Smikle said. "They have to be in the fight and [Cuomo] proved that during the first Trump administration."
"I don't think we're looking for purity anymore or we shouldn't be," one strategist said of Cuomo.
Aides who worked with the former governor are less sure.
"There is absolutely no good reason for [Cuomo] to run for president," one former aide said. "He's too damaged and people won't let that go."