Andrew Cuomo gives campaign-style speech as he considers running for office again

NEW YORK - Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is contemplating a political comeback and dangling the possibility he may run for his former job just six months after he resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Teasing a possible run for Governor again, Cuomo left it open ended whether he would run as a Democrat or as an independent candidate.

"I’m open to all options and I’m going to leave it at that," Cuomo said to a welcoming crowd who started chanting "four more years, four more years."

If Cuomo were to run as a Democrat, he would have to collect 15,000 signatures in less than three weeks to petition his way onto the ballot.

But if Cuomo were to run as an independent candidate he would have until May 31st to collect signatures, something Cuomo says he is confident he can do.

"There’s a lot of time to gather petitions depending on how you want to run," Cuomo said. 

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When asked if Cuomo would form his own political party, like he has done in the past, Cuomo was non-commital. 

"I think my father did too," Cuomo said. "I’m open to all options."

Cuomo spoke at the church of Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr, who was sanctioned by City Council for his anti- gay remarks.

Also in attendance was Andy King who was expelled from City Council for sexual harassment.

Cuomo, who resigned from office rather than face a potential impeachment trial over sexual harassment allegations, undercounting COVID nursing home deaths and using state resources for his $5 million book deal, used many of the same talking points he has in the past.

Again, blaming cancel culture for his resignation.

"Stand up to the extremists," Cuomo said. "Cancel the cancel culture. That's not who we are. We're Americans. Our cancel culture mentality today is like modern day stonings."

Cuomo also took aim at State Lawmakers for not yet making changes to the bail reform law, a bill which passed in 2019, tweaked in 2020 and signed both times by Cuomo himself.

While he did praise the intent of the law, he said that changes need to be made.

"How many more people have to be shot before they act? How many more people have to be robbed before they act? How many more people have to be assaulted before they act," Cuomo said to a cheering crowd.

However, Governor Kathy Hochul is now also proposing making changes to the law by giving judges more discretion when it comes to certain cases.

Previously, Legislative Leaders have said they are not interested in making any tweaks to the law right now.