Former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a longtime ally to Mayor Adams who has donated to his reelection bid and worked closely with his administration, is endorsing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor in this year’s elections, the Daily News has learned.
The Cuomo endorsement from Diaz is a blow to the embattled mayor, who had the ex-BP’s backing for his successful 2021 run. In 2021, Adams relied heavily on Diaz to drive turnout for him among Latinos voters, especially in the Bronx, a constituency that was seen as key as carrying him to a narrow victory in that year’s contest.
In a statement shared exclusively with The News ahead of a formal endorsement Thursday afternoon, Diaz, who remains influential with Latino voters, said he’s backing Cuomo due to a variety of issues, including the need for “a steady hand and strong leadership” at a time President Trump is threatening to cut federal funding for New York.
“I am proud to support Andrew Cuomo to be our next mayor, and I know he will be the fighter we need to deliver effective solutions on crime, disorder, housing, affordability, education and so many other issues,” Diaz said in the statement, which also credited Cuomo for working “hand-in-hand” with him on Bronx community projects when he was BP.
“I have seen firsthand how effective a leader he can be, and I know that Andrew Cuomo can deliver for us as our next mayor. I encourage all Democrats to support him in the June primary and send him to fight for us in City Hall.”
Vito Pitta, Adams’ campaign attorney, didn’t return a request for comment on Diaz’s endorsement.
Diaz and Adams have known each other since the late 1990s, when the mayor was still in the NYPD.
After becoming term-limited from running for BP again in 2021, Diaz started working as a lobbyist representing clients with city business. Records show he has over the past few years directly lobbied top members of Adams’ administration, including ex-chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who resigned last year shortly before being indicted on bribery charges.
Diaz also gave $400 — the max a lobbyist can give to a mayoral candidate — to Adams’ reelection campaign in July 2023.
Last May, Adams appointed Diaz as one of 13 members to serve on his first Charter Revision Commission, which got referendum questions onto November’s election ballot.
Diaz is among other Adams supporters who are embracing Cuomo’s campaign as the mayor continues to face intense political headwinds amid the controversy surrounding his ongoing federal corruption indictment and record low approval ratings.
Last week, Harlem Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, a key Adams ally in Albany, endorsed Cuomo for mayor. Earlier this week, Brooklyn Councilwoman Farah Louis — who endorsed Adams in 2021 — announced she’s also backing Cuomo in the June 24 mayoral primary.