Copyright New York Daily News
New Yorkers deserve a mayor who keeps promises, not one who hides behind slogans, and that is Andrew Cuomo, who led the way for justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As survivors of childhood sexual abuse, we worked closely with then-Gov. Cuomo and his executive staff to pass the Child Victims Act in 2019. The landmark bill, which faced years of fierce opposition and well-financed lobbying efforts, finally made it possible for thousands of victims and survivors to file claims against the predators who abused them and the institutions that covered up horrific crimes against children. Cuomo stood strongly on the side of survivors, using his tough negotiation skills and political capital to get the CVA passed. For years, the bill was blocked from moving to the floor of the state Senate for a vote. But under Cuomo’s unwavering leadership, the bill ultimately passed the Senate unanimously. Without his strong advocacy and support, survivors would still be fighting for the right to hold their abusers accountable. Sadly, current Gov. Hochul — a Zohran Mamdani supporter — has failed survivors by refusing to regulate New York’s insurance industry. Six and a half years after the CVA passed, billion-dollar insurers such as Chubb are doing everything possible to avoid paying claims for child sex abuse. Thanks to Hochul, thousands of cases remain in legal limbo, even as older survivors are dying, never to see the justice they were promised. It’s regrettable that American elections have become a cynical blood sport in which lies, rumors, personal smears, and character assassination are all fair game in pursuit of a win. Mamdani knows this well as he’s been defamed as a pro-Hamas “communist,” police hater, and terrorist sympathizer. Yet Mamdani continues to press two standard talking points: Cuomo lacks “integrity” and that billionaire donors are driving his campaign. The billionaire accusation is ironic given that Cuomo is running as an independent and Mamdani is representing the chronically corrupt Democratic Party, whose addiction to Big Money and abandonment of America’s working class undeniably paved the way for Donald Trump’s two terms in office. As child sex abuse survivors who know Cuomo and his decades-long legacy of public service — working tirelessly on behalf of all New Yorkers — we reject the cheap smear that he lacks integrity. We’re left wondering why Mamdani, so early in his role as a political celebrity, is choosing the low road of falsely attacking Cuomo’s character. Is it because Mamdani is no match whatsoever for Cuomo when it comes to shaping policy, advancing an ambitious agenda, political savvy, and the extremely challenging daily business of governing millions of his fellow citizens? New Yorkers know only too well the chaotic frenzy of Trump’s second term. Are we really going to elect a youthfully inexperienced, actorly performer to take the reins at City Hall? Trump, for one, has the capacity to land a knockout punch on Mamdani in no time — with more blows to follow. Beating up Mamdani is an injury all New Yorkers will have to bear over the next three years. Trump has already threatened to withhold federal funds from the city if Mamdani is elected. How, exactly, will Mamdani compel Trump to act on behalf of all New Yorkers? If we have to choose between the inevitable smackdown of Trump versus Mamdani — or Trump versus Cuomo — we have tons more confidence in Cuomo’s capacity to wage that fight, negotiate hard for New York, and get the job done successfully. If Cuomo has good fortune on Election Day, we strongly urge him to offer Mamdani a position in his administration. Now that would be the start of a fresh new alliance that might make Team Trump nervous, and let the rest of America know that Democrats are finally waking up from their reckless and lazy slumber. The justice promised to survivors in 2019 wasn’t a political favor — it was a long overdue moral debt. Six years later, that debt is still unpaid. Leadership isn’t about hashtags or idealistic soundbites; it’s about showing up, fighting hard, and finishing what you start. Andrew Cuomo did that once for survivors. New York should give him the chance to do it again — for all of us. Jimenez is a survivor of child sex abuse and an award-winning journalist. Robb is a survivor, victims advocate, and an attorney.
