NEW YORK — Just days after revealing his plans to continue his bid for New York City mayor as an independent candidate, former Governor Andrew Cuomo had an exclusive conversation with New York’s ABC station, WABC.

Cuomo released a video Monday with the formal announcement three weeks after his loss in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

The former governor says he grossly underestimated Mamdani right up until election night, and explained his reaction.

“I was shocked. That’s why I appeared shocked — because I truly was,” Cuomo remarked. “Throughout the entire campaign, I led by a significant margin, consistently 15 points ahead according to all the experts. The campaign was overly cautious, and indeed, I was taken aback by the outcome.”

He explained that he still believes he has a path to victory in the race.

“I don’t think New Yorkers endorse a socialist system of governance or that it is practical,” Cuomo stated. “I am confident they’ll seek an alternative, and I believe I represent that alternative.”

And as for his double-digit loss in the primary, Cuomo has a plan ahead of the general election.

“You had an explosion of young people who came out, I did not talk to them, if you will, I did not connect with them the same way,” Cuomo said. “They didn’t hear my vision, my solutions, and that turned the election. General election? Different game. More people vote, more Democrats, more independents, more Republicans. And it’s a totally different game.”

Cuomo also described Mamdani as “dangerous and divisive.”

As for President Donald Trump’s comments Tuesday that Cuomo has a shot at winning City Hall, Cuomo said he agrees with that, but he does not want the president’s endorsement.

WATCH | Full one-on-one interview with Andrew Cuomo