Update 3/19/18: Cynthia Nixon announced via Twitter today that she will in fact be facing off against Gov. Cuomo in the 2018 New York Democratic Primaries. You can watch her announcement video below.
I love New York, and today I’m announcing my candidacy for governor. Join us: https://t.co/9DwsxWW8xX pic.twitter.com/kYTvx6GZiD
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) March 19, 2018
Long politically active, major news organizations including the New York Times are reporting that Rhinebeck resident Cynthia Nixon — best known for her role as Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City — may be seriously considering a run for the governor’s seat.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, on a conference call last week, jokingly attributed Nixon’s potential candidacy to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, for whom Nixon had strongly campaigned, “or Vladimir Putin.” He went on to assert that “name recognition is relevant when it has some connection to the endeavor,” and that Nixon’s fame did not alone qualify her for office.
Nixon’s bone fides, however, might pose a real threat to the governor this primary season. The mother of three has for many years been a vocal advocate of education reform in New York State and LGBT+ issues, all while maintaining a career that has seen Emmy, Grammy, and Tony wins, and appearances in star-studded films such as last year’s The Only Living Boy In New York.
Nixon has also apparently been boning up on transportation issues, according to the Times an area where Governor Cuomo may be seen as highly vulnerable. Though Nixon and her representatives have been coy about whether she will actually choose to run against Governor Cuomo in this year’s Democratic primaries, she has remained vocal in her criticisms of the incumbent Cuomo. Following discussions with strategists Bill Hyers and Rebecca Katz, the possibility of a heated primary season seems more tangible than Cuomo’s comments let on.
