The mayor's call follows the hacked release of Mamdani's 2009 application where he allegedly identified as both Asian and African American. Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian parents.

For Cuomo, the mayoral race is a chance at a comeback after he resigned as governor in 2021 over a report from Attorney General Letitia James' office that alleged he sexually harassed multiple female employees and created a toxic working environment. Cuomo has denied the allegations.