Saving New York: Victoria Zirkiev Backs Andrew Cuomo to Stop Socialist Takeover At City Hall

Author’s Note

As the writer of this piece, I want to share openly with our readers that I personally endorsed Andrew Cuomo earlier this year during his primary campaign. My support followed a public apology from the former governor for decisions made by his health commissioner during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — decisions that unjustly placed Kew Gardens Hills and other Orthodox neighborhoods into stigmatizing “red zones.” Cuomo’s acknowledgment of that mistake and his commitment to rebuilding trust with our community played a significant role in my continued belief that he is the right leader for New York City at this time.

Of additional note, I was a signatory to a lawsuit that ultimately reached the United States Supreme Court, challenging the executive order that limited houses of worship to no more than ten people — regardless of a building’s size or its ability to maintain proper social distance. I viewed those restrictions as excessively punitive and discriminatory against religious practice. That landmark case, Agudath Israel of America v. Cuomo, litigated under lead counsel Avi Schick, was ultimately successful, striking down the fixed occupancy limits on constitutional grounds and securing a significant victory for religious liberty.

— Shabsie Saphirstein

In an exclusive interview with the Bukharian Jewish Link, Queens community leader and media producer Victoria Zirkiev formally announced her support for Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 New York City mayoral race — a move that places one of the most influential Bukharian voices behind the former governor’s bid to become the city’s 118th mayor.

Zirkiev — the CEO of HOSHEN Media Group and VZ Productions, and president of the Chazaq Women’s Division — emphasized that her decision reflects deep concerns over rising antisemitism, the erosion of public safety, and the urgent need for a mayor who understands the priorities of faith-based New Yorkers.

“Queens families want a mayor who will keep our streets safe, protect our shuls and schools, and treat Jewish New Yorkers with dignity,” Zirkiev told BJL. “I believe Andrew Cuomo has the record and the resolve to do just that.”

During the June Democratic primary, Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities — particularly in Queens — rallied behind Cuomo, viewing him as the strongest bulwark against progressive Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani. United by their opposition to his far-left positions on policing, Israel, and religious liberty, these groups are now expected to coalesce around the candidate best positioned to block Mamdani from reaching Gracie Mansion.

Perhaps the most overlooked yet pivotal force in this equation is Queens’ growing population of Sephardic Bukharian and Russian-speaking Jews — estimated at more than 70,000 strong — concentrated heavily in Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens Hills. These communities, originally from Central Asia, have historically leaned socially conservative but were not always politically active. That trend is rapidly shifting. Frustration over rising antisemitism, leniency toward crime, and a lack of ethnic representation in city government has fueled an unprecedented wave of civic engagement. At the center of this shift is Victoria Zirkiev, a respected community figure and key Adams ally, who served on the mayor’s Transition Legal Advisory Committee. Her endorsement of Cuomo is more than symbolic — it signals that one of the city’s most tightly knit and mobilized voting blocs is preparing to flex its political muscle.

Cuomo’s campaign has drawn consistent backing from Queens-based leaders and organizations, reflecting deep local trust in his ability to lead New York through turbulent times. Among his earliest supporters were Assembly Members Sam Berger, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Vivian Cook, and David Weprin, each of whom cited Cuomo’s record on public safety, education, and communal security as decisive factors in their endorsements. They were joined by State Senators Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Toby Ann Stavisky, and City Council Member Lynn Schulman, who praised Cuomo’s commitment to neighborhood safety and cultural inclusion. The Queens County Democratic Organization, under the leadership of Congressman Gregory Meeks, also signaled its institutional support early in the race, strengthening Cuomo’s borough-wide credibility. Several figures tied to the Adams administration, including former Corporation Counsel Randy Mastro, have now endorsed Cuomo as well. Mayor Adams himself is widely expected to offer his endorsement before Election Day — a development that would further consolidate moderate and centrist support behind the former governor.

Cuomo’s campaign strength extends well beyond Queens. He has earned the backing of some of the city’s most influential unions, including 1199SEIU, the powerful healthcare workers’ organization, and IBEW Local 3, which represents tens of thousands of electricians and tradespeople. Former City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has also voiced his support, as have a number of coordinated Orthodox and faith-based groups that rallied behind Cuomo almost immediately after Adams suspended his campaign. Editorial boards such as the New York Daily News have likewise endorsed Cuomo, pointing to his executive experience, crisis-management skills, and ability to govern effectively during volatile times. Together, these endorsements demonstrate the breadth of his coalition and the depth of his appeal across ideological, geographic, and communal lines.

Victoria Zirkiev’s influence extends far beyond the Bukharian community. As a media producer, she has elevated Jewish culture and music into the mainstream. As president of the Chazaq Women’s Division, she has spearheaded programs for women, families, and communal engagement. And as a civic leader, she has become a vital bridge between Queens’ Bukharian community and city government. Her relationship with City Hall dates back to December 2021, when she was appointed to Mayor-elect Eric Adams’s Transition “Legal” Committee, advising on governance, legal matters, and community relations during the formation of the administration. She was later honored at Gracie Mansion in July 2025 during New York City’s annual Jewish Heritage Celebration, where Mayor Adams publicly recognized her leadership and contributions. Although she has not held a permanent city post, Zirkiev has served as an informal liaison between municipal leadership and faith-based communities, particularly on issues of antisemitism, public safety, and cultural representation. Her relationships with city agencies, elected officials, and Jewish organizations make her one of the most influential Bukharian voices in New York civic life — and one whose endorsement can significantly shape the political landscape.

If Andrew Cuomo prevails, he would make political history. No one has ever served as governor of New York first and then gone on to become mayor of New York City. In fact, the only figures to have held both offices did so in reverse order — John T. Hoffman and DeWitt Clinton both served as mayor before becoming governor, and Abraham de Peyster was mayor in the colonial era before later serving as acting governor. Cuomo’s victory would therefore mark a historic first in New York politics and underscore the evolving dynamics of political leadership in the state.

Many have aspired to bridge the two most powerful offices in New York but fell short. Mario Cuomo ran unsuccessfully for New York City mayor in 1977 before becoming governor. Ed Koch, after three terms as mayor, lost his 1982 bid for governor to Mario Cuomo. Theodore Roosevelt ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1886 before later becoming governor — and eventually president. And William Randolph Hearst famously failed in three attempts: twice for mayor and once for governor. The difficulty of successfully claiming both roles underscores just how significant a Cuomo victory would be.

“Our community knows how to show up when it matters,” Zirkiev said. “This election matters. Safety matters. Respect matters. And Andrew Cuomo understands that.”

By Shabsie Saphirstein