June 11, 2025 New York, NY – The political landscape of New York City is buzzing with intrigue as Mayor Eric Adams and mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo engage in a subtle yet significant battle for the influential Orthodox Jewish vote. While Cuomo has been diligently racking up endorsements from prominent leaders within this electorally potent community, Mayor Adams suggests the depth of this support may be less than meets the eye.

This high-stakes maneuvering comes as both politicians prepare for a potential general election showdown, with Adams having opted out of the Democratic primary in April amidst a federal indictment and his increasingly close ties to President Donald Trump.

The Nuance of Endorsements: A Tale of Two Elections?

The recent endorsement of Andrew Cuomo by a major Hasidic sect in Brooklyn seemed to cement his lead in the Democratic mayoral primary. However, a prominent figure within the Satmar community, Rabbi Moishe Indig, offered a different perspective just days before publicly backing Cuomo. Speaking at an event focused on combating antisemitism, Rabbi Indig unequivocally stated his community's fervent support for Mayor Adams in the general election, predicting a turnout mirroring the 2024 presidential election where a significant majority supported Donald Trump.

"In November you’ll see the same thing with God’s help,” Rabbi Indig declared. “We will come out to show our great support for our great mayor and brother, Eric Adams.”

Rabbi Indig, a key religious and political figure in Brooklyn, estimated that 75,000 people from his community voted in the presidential race, predominantly for Trump. This substantial number underscores the crucial role the Orthodox Jewish community plays in New York City's electoral calculus.

Adams' Long-Standing Ties and Accusations

Mayor Adams, a Brooklyn native with decades of experience as a borough president and state senator, highlighted his deep-rooted relationships with the borough's Orthodox communities, spanning "over 30 years." He openly criticized Cuomo, accusing him of overstating his support among both Jewish and Black communities—two demographics central to Adams' successful 2021 mayoral coalition.

"So let the primary run its course," Adams stated, "We are going to see what’s going to happen in the general."

Indeed, behind-the-scenes efforts by Adams' team have been reported, aiming to dissuade rabbis from endorsing Cuomo. The New York Times revealed that a mayoral aide successfully persuaded 25 Hasidic groups and institutions to endorse City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams over Cuomo in the primary. Furthermore, a prominent Jewish leader who endorsed Cuomo later clarified his backing was solely for the primary, emphasizing his close relationship with the mayor.

Cuomo's Campaign Stands Firm

Despite some lingering animosity towards Cuomo from certain religious communities over his Covid-era restrictions on large gatherings, the former governor has undeniably secured crucial endorsements from significant Jewish leaders in both Brooklyn and Queens.

However, even Rabbi Indig, initially quoted as pledging general election support for Adams, later nuanced his stance when questioned, stating he had not yet made a general election endorsement. "I don’t know what’s going to happen in November,” he admitted.

Cuomo's campaign remains unfazed by Adams' assertions. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, stated, “Governor Cuomo’s relationship with the Jewish community is deep, strong and stretches back decades and we’re proud to have assembled one of the largest Orthodox coalitions in history in support of our campaign to get New York City back on the right track. We’re not surprised the mayor is trying to play games behind the scenes.”

As the primary season progresses and the prospect of a general election showdown looms, the battle for the Orthodox Jewish vote promises to be a key factor in shaping New York City's political future. Both candidates are clearly invested in demonstrating the strength and breadth of their connections within this vital community.