Part 4/12:
Despite the theatrics, insiders believe that Mandami's polling lead is likely a result of a split among other candidates—namely, Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams—who divide the voter base. The prevailing consensus among political analysts is that influential financiers, who previously backed Cuomo with substantial financial resources, might exert pressure on Cuomo to withdraw and endorse a single candidate, possibly Adams, in order to consolidate power and improve the odds of defeating Mandami.