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Cuomo, making a joke, compares potential rival Cynthia Nixon to Vladimir Putin

Matt Ryan, New York Now

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s unconcerned about the possibility of a primary from the left by Cynthia Nixon, and even made a joking linking to the actor and Russian interference in the U.S. elections.

It’s been reported that Sex and the City star and left-wing activist  Cynthia Nixon  has been talking to consultants linked to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio about a possible primary challenge to Cuomo in the governor’s race this year. The governor and New York City mayor, both Democrats, have had a long-running rivalry.

Cuomo was asked on a conference call about the possibility of de Blasio being behind Nixon’s potential run.

“I think it was probably either the mayor of New York or Vladimir Putin,” Cuomo said with a chuckle. “I’m going to leave it to you great investigative reporters to follow the facts and ferret out the truth.”

A spokesman for the governor said Cuomo was just trying to have a bit of fun, and is not linking Nixon to the Russian leader.

The governor also was asked whether  he thinks the well-known actor would pose a serious challenge to his re-election efforts. He answered with a subtle put-down.

“Normally, name recognition is relevant when it has some connection to the endeavor,” said Cuomo, who added that if it’s just about name recognition, he hopes Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie or Billy Joel do not get into the race.

“That would really be a problem,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo has said he’s interested in seeking a third term in office, but has not yet formally announced his intentions.

Karen DeWitt is Capitol Bureau chief for the New York Public News Network, composed of a dozen newsrooms across the state. She has covered state government and politics for the network since 1990.