Andrew Cuomo pledges to raise NYC minimum wage to $20 by 2027, citing past success and dismissing business concerns.

Cuomo Makes Wage Reform Central to Mayoral Campaign

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that, if elected mayor of New York City, he would pursue raising the city’s minimum wage to $20 an hour by 2027. The proposal marks a key pillar in his mayoral campaign and reflects his continued emphasis on economic fairness for working-class New Yorkers.

Speaking at a campaign rally, Cuomo addressed anticipated criticism from the business community. “The businesspeople are going to say, 'Oh, no, you can't raise the minimum wage, because that's going to slow the economy,’” he said. “Baloney — not to use another word.”

Cuomo also dismissed concerns about the political feasibility of such a measure, saying, “Their pundits are going say, 'Oh, it's going be too hard to get it passed politically. The politicians are going to be afraid to get it passed. Well, I tell you this, they're wrong. And you know how we know they're wrong? Because we did it before, and we're going to do it again.”

Cuomo was referring to his time as governor when he signed legislation raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour — then the highest in the country. He credited the increase with improving the economy and protecting small businesses through targeted tax credits.

“If you had indexed that $15, you know what it would be today?” Cuomo asked. “Twenty dollars — that is the fair wage, and that's what we want. And that's what we're going to get back.”

New York City has seen two minimum wage increases since 2022. In 2024, the hourly wage rose to $16 from the $15 benchmark established under Cuomo's administration. A second increase in 2025 brought it to the current $16.50.

Leading the Field in a Competitive Race

Cuomo currently leads a crowded Democratic primary field in the race for mayor, positioning himself as a pragmatic candidate with executive experience. His nearest rival is state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist with strong grassroots support. The mayoral race is expected to highlight sharp contrasts in economic policy, particularly on wage reform, labor protections, and small business resilience.

While the Cuomo campaign did not immediately respond to press inquiries, the candidate’s remarks underscore his strategy of leveraging prior achievements to bolster voter confidence. His push for a $20 minimum wage appears designed to appeal to urban workers amid rising living costs and growing pressure for equitable labor standards.

As the campaign unfolds, Cuomo’s wage proposal is likely to remain a central issue, potentially influencing broader policy debates across New York and beyond. The measure may also test the city’s appetite for balancing progressive labor policies with business community concerns in a post-pandemic economy.