Context:

Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor, has released a new campaign ad for his New York City mayoral run, depicting him jump-starting a car to embody his message of fixing the city together. The ad, designed to showcase Cuomo's hands-on leadership, has been met with both praise and criticism; some viewers appreciate the symbolism of practical help, while others criticize the execution of the jump-start as incorrect and accuse his team of being disconnected from voters. Despite losing the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo announced his intention to continue his campaign as an independent, citing low voter turnout in the primary as a reason to stay in the race. Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo and other candidates, is positioned to potentially become the first Muslim and millennial mayor of New York City. Cuomo's campaign emphasizes his practical experience and criticizes Mamdani for lacking real solutions, with the general election set for November.

Dive Deeper:

• Andrew Cuomo's new campaign ad for the NYC mayoral race features him helping a fellow New Yorker by jump-starting a car, symbolizing his commitment to fixing the city collaboratively, with the tagline 'New Yorkers, start your engines...Together, we can fix this city!'.

• The ad has sparked a mix of reactions, with some viewers praising Cuomo's hands-on approach and willingness to help, while others criticize the incorrect order in which the jumper cables were connected, questioning the ad's portrayal of competence.

• Critics have accused Cuomo's marketing team of being out of touch with voters, although Cuomo's team defends the ad as a reflection of his real-life skills, noting that he worked as a tow truck driver to support himself through college.

• Despite losing the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo plans to run as an independent in the general election, citing only a 13% voter turnout in the primary and maintaining that Mamdani lacks substantive solutions.

• Mamdani's primary victory over Cuomo and other candidates marked a significant political shift, as he is poised to become New York City's first Muslim and millennial mayor, challenging the Democratic establishment with his rise.

• Cuomo's continued campaign focuses on practical leadership and critiques of Mamdani, as he remains determined to win the November election, leveraging his experience and the narrative of tangible help symbolized by the campaign ad.

• The ad's mixed reception highlights the broader political dynamics in the NYC mayoral race, with Cuomo seeking a comeback after resigning as governor amid scandals, positioning himself against Mamdani's fresh appeal and slogans.