Andrew M. Cuomo

Andrew M. Cuomo

Democratic

BACKGROUND: Cuomo, 60, has been governor for two terms. Previously, he served one term as state attorney general and was federal housing secretary during President Bill Clinton’s second term. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2002. His father, Mario Cuomo, was a three-time governor. He graduated from Fordham University and Albany Law School of Union University. He was married to Kerry Kennedy; they had three daughters before divorcing. He has been a domestic partner of Food Network star Sandra Lee for more than a decade.

ISSUES: In his second term, Cuomo noticeably has tacked left, pushing “progressive” issues such as raising the minimum wage and expanding financial aid to public college students. He also touts first-term liberal measures, such as legalizing same-sex marriage and strengthening gun control. But he shifted positions on some issues when Cynthia Nixon entered the Democratic primary: Once a marijuana opponent, he’s now considering legalizing it. Once a backer of linking students’ standardized test scores to teachers’ evaluations, he now wants to de-link the two. Since winning the primary, he has acted more like he's running against President Donald Trump than Republican Marc Molinaro. Cuomo has sought to portray his administration as a bulwark opposing the Trump administration, fighting it on immigration, abortion, education, environmental and tax policies. He also criticized the president’s hurricane response in Puerto Rico and has made numerous trips to that island, pushing assistance efforts — which might help him among Latino voters. More than pushing new issues for a third term, Cuomo primarily is promoting his “proven leadership” by touting his accomplishments during the past eight years.