NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams will endorse Andrew Cuomo in the city’s mayoral election, a spokesperson said Thursday, throwing his weight behind a bitter rival he recently called a “snake and a liar” as the former governor tries to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will endorse former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday, two sources familiar with the decision confirmed to CNN.

In the face of weak polling figures, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has turned to uglier tactics in his bid to become New York City’s mayor over his main rival, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo, running as an independent, has long sought to paint Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, as too extreme.

During an interview on Thursday with conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg, Cuomo, the former governor of New York, suggested Mamdani lacked the experience to govern New York City in a crisis like a 9/11-scale terror attack. “Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” Cuomo asked.

Mayor Eric Adams backs former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor following Wednesday's debate against Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Adams dropped out of the race last month but will still appear on the ballot. He had run as an independent after the Justice Department dropped corruption charges he had been facing.

Mayor Eric Adams will endorse former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for mayor and plans to campaign with him, in hopes of slowing the momentum of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee.

The endorsement is a stark change for Mayor Eric Adams. Just over a month ago, he called former Gov. Andrew Cuomo a “liar and a snake.”

The candidates faced off in a final mayoral debate at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens.