Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has swiftly dismissed rumors of a political resurgence, cheekily advising, “Put down the mojitos,” following speculation about his interest in the soon-to-be-vacated congressional seat held by Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan.

Whispers of Cuomo’s potential candidacy gained momentum over the weekend. This buzz was sparked by a revelation from Matthew Kassel, a reporter for Jewish Insider, who shared on X that insiders had mentioned Cuomo was discreetly considering a run for Nadler’s seat. Nadler recently announced his decision to retire after serving in Congress for more than thirty years.

In his post, Kassel stated, “Intel from Somos: Andrew Cuomo is now exploring a campaign for retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler’s Manhattan House seat, according to two people familiar with the matter.”

Cuomo’s camp was quick to refute these claims. A spokesperson for Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, told the Daily Mail, “I don’t know where any of that came from, but everyone should put down the mojitos,” effectively quashing the rumors.

‘I don’t know where any of that came from, but everyone should put down the mojitos,’ Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told the Daily Mail in response to the report.  

The denial came just days after Cuomo, once considered one of the most powerful figures in Democratic politics, suffered a humiliating defeat in his bid to become New York City’s next mayor.

The former three-term governor was beaten by 34-year-old Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a leftist upstart who ran on a platform of affordable housing, police reform and universal public childcare. 

If he ran for Congress Cuomo wouldn’t have the field to himself. 

Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old only grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has already formed an exploratory committee and is expected to announce his campaign for Nadler’s seat next week, Politico reported. 

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is said to be exploring a dramatic return to Washington only days after losing his own bid to become New York City’s next mayor.

Cuomo is rumored to be setting up an explosive political showdown with President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg

‘It’s happening,’ one source told Politico, adding that Schlossberg had already begun hiring staff and consulting with elected officials. 

Cuomo, who had tried to frame Mamdani as dangerously inexperienced, entered the mayoral race in March, less than four years after resigning from the governorship amid sexual harassment allegations – all of which he continues to deny.

The stunning defeat left political observers wondering what could come next for a man who once ruled Albany and harbored national ambitions. 

It the rumors are true, Cuomo may be eyeing the seat long held by Nadler, the 78-year-old Democrat who has represented New York’s Upper West Side for more than three decades and announced he would retire after 34 years in Congress.

Schlossberg, a graduate of both Harvard and Yale, has built an enormous social media following with hundreds of thousands of fans across TikTok, Instagram, and X.

He often posts quirky and self-deprecating clips that mix politics with his own humor in a far cry from the buttoned-up image of past Kennedys.

While he’s been celebrated online as a liberal heartthrob, Schlossberg has also been active in progressive politics.

Schlossberg spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and frequently criticizes his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who presently serves as President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary.

Cuomo is said to be quietly considering a run for Rep. Jerry Nadler’s soon-to-be-vacant Manhattan congressional seat, Nadler is seen here in October

Schlossberg polled his Instagram audience about kicking off a potential political campaign

His critiques are part of an active social media life, as Schlossberg has over 171,000 followers on X, 721,000 on Instagram and 835,000 on TikTok. 

He has also been appointed to the America 250 Commission by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Nadler said last month of his potential successor that ‘there’s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat.

‘But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn’t have one.’

The future of the historically safe seat for Democrats will likely be set in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 23, 2026.

Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the only daughter of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and JFK – who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963.