Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, has teamed up with Inna Vernikov, a prominent Republican Jewish city council member from South Brooklyn, in his campaign for New York City's mayoral race. Vernikov, known for her strong support of Israel and her conservative base of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, broke ranks with her party to endorse Cuomo over the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. She cited concerns about the far-left anti-Israel activist Zohran Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo for the Democratic nomination.

Cuomo praised Vernikov's stance against antisemitism and her commitment to public safety, emphasizing their shared goal of protecting New York's values despite their different political affiliations. Vernikov's endorsement is seen as significant in a community that largely supported the previous United States president, reflecting deep anxieties about Mamdani's policies and their perceived connection to the Soviet era. The partnership highlights the shifting political alliances in the city's mayoral race and underscores the importance of the Jewish immigrant vote in South Brooklyn.