Four years after being widely condemned by his own party, Andrew Cuomo is seeing an unexpected political revival—this time as a candidate for New York City mayor. In 2021, prominent New York Democrats demanded his resignation following sexual harassment allegations. Now, some of those same lawmakers are backing his latest campaign.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, once a vocal critic, announced her support on Friday. She’s joined by at least three Democratic members of Congress and several local leaders, many of whom had previously insisted Cuomo step down. The turnaround mirrors the GOP’s shifting stance on Donald Trump, as Republicans who once denounced him after the Capitol riot ultimately fell in line for his 2024 comeback.

Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-NY)

“New Yorkers are doing what Trump voters did—prioritizing immediate political needs over past controversies,” said Basil Smikle, a Democratic strategist and former executive director of the state party. Smikle emphasized that voters are making pragmatic choices, even in the face of credible allegations brought forward by Attorney General Tish James in 2021.

Ramos told The New York Times that Cuomo is “best positioned” to defend the city from Trump-era threats. Just weeks earlier, she questioned his mental acuity, comparing him to Joe Biden. Back in 2021, her social media posts slammed Cuomo as egotistical and unfit for leadership.

Confronted about her reversal, Ramos said her endorsement wasn’t about “forgiveness” but about the current stakes. “I am not going to vacillate,” she told reporters. “This is a critical juncture.”

She’s far from alone. Reps. Ritchie Torres, Gregory Meeks, and Adriano Espaillat, who joined a 2021 statement urging Cuomo to step down, are now supporting his mayoral run. So are at least five other state and local leaders who had once called for his resignation. None of the congressional offices responded to comment requests.

Cuomo’s fall from grace was swift. At the height of his pandemic-era popularity, an investigation found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women, prompting his resignation. He claimed he never meant harm, though he admitted “mistakes.” Since then, Cuomo has fought the allegations in court and recently told The New York Times he regrets resigning.

Endorsements often reference his executive experience and ability to deliver results. Espaillat said there’s “so much at stake” and framed Cuomo as a “strong and proven leader.” Torres praised Cuomo’s “competence and courage,” highlighting his resistance to political extremes.

Voters like Carmen Perez agree. She told NBC News, “During the pandemic, he took control. In a crisis, he’s the guy.”

Despite the comeback narrative, the race remains divisive. While Cuomo leads in the Democratic primary, progressive forces are rallying against him. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threw her support behind Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and urged voters to rank anyone but Cuomo on the ballot. The city’s ranked-choice system allows voters to list up to five candidates, and anti-Cuomo advocates are hoping to block him through coordinated rankings.

With Mayor Eric Adams now running as an independent after federal prosecutors dropped their corruption case, moderate Democrats see Cuomo as their bulwark. “He’s the firewall,” Smikle said, pointing to centrist fears about a progressive takeover of City Hall.