(MENAFN) Andrew Cuomo, New York City's independent mayoral hopeful, pledged Sunday to pursue collaboration with President Donald Trump should he win office, citing their prior partnership during his gubernatorial tenure.

Speaking to media, Cuomo highlighted their established rapport from Trump's first presidential term: "I know President Trump. I was governor when he was president. In the first term, we worked together."

The former governor challenged the conventional wisdom requiring Democratic municipal leaders to clash with Republican commanders-in-chief, declaring: "I'm going to try cooperation."

Cuomo expressed confidence that Trump maintains genuine interest in New York's wellbeing and "would be open to a cooperative path that is doing good things in New York," warning it would be "unfortunate" if the relationship devolved into partisan conflict.

Addressing potential collaboration with Governor Kathy Hochul, Cuomo stressed the imperative of unity, acknowledging the city's critical function as the state's financial powerhouse.

The independent candidate dismissed rival Curtis Sliwa's qualifications, referencing Trump's evaluation that Sliwa lacks "prime time" readiness due to insufficient administrative and governmental expertise.

Current polling data reveals Democrat Zohran Mamdani commanding 41-47% support, while Cuomo trails at 31-34% and Republican Sliwa holds 14-24%, based on late October through early November surveys.

The New York City Board of Elections reports over 580,000 voters have already submitted early ballots before Tuesday's contest.

Cuomo mounted his independent bid following his defeat to Mamdani in the Democratic primary. A Mamdani victory would mark a historic milestone as the nation's largest metropolis elects its first Muslim and South Asian chief executive.

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