Former governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, has shifted away from contrition over his past sexual harassment scandal and is instead adopting aggressive campaign tactics against his opponent, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo has targeted various demographic groups in New York City, including Jewish, Black, Hispanic, Muslim, and LGBTQ communities, using rhetoric and strategies reminiscent of those employed by former president Donald Trump. He has questioned Mamdani's religious identity, criticized his positions on Israel and LGBTQ rights, and sought to cast doubt on his ability to represent New Yorkers due to his background and past associations. While Cuomo's campaign claims these efforts are about informing voters, critics argue that his approach is divisive and exploitative of identity politics as he seeks to build a coalition outside traditional party lines.