9/11 Heroes Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor
Wendi & Sal Turturici Praise Cuomo’s Record of Delivering for 9/11 Families, Slam Zohran Mamdani for Standing with Those Who Said “America Deserved 9/11”
“As Governor, Andrew Cuomo fought to secure benefits for 9/11 families, and he treated our community with the respect and dignity we deserve…His opponent, Zohran Mamdani, proudly associates with Hasan Piker, a man who said ‘America deserved 9/11.’ To families like mine, that’s not politics, that’s life and death.” – Wendi Turturici
Photos of Andrew Cuomo with Sal Turturici in 2016 and 2017 can be found here
New York, NY – Today, Wendi and Sal Turturici announced their endorsement of Andrew M. Cuomo for Mayor of New York City. Sal Turturici, a longtime FDNY EMT, was among the first responders who rushed to Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks, spending months on rescue and recovery duty at the World Trade Center site. Years later, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer linked to his work there.
The Turturici family and Governor Cuomo forged a bond through their shared fight to secure benefits and protections for 9/11 survivors. In 2017, Governor Cuomo stood side by side with Sal to sign legislation granting unlimited sick leave to responders battling illnesses from their service. That day, they rode motorcycles together to honor 9/11 first responders to symbolize resilience, solidarity, and progress.
“I know firsthand what kind of leader Andrew Cuomo is,” Wendi Turturici said. “As Governor, he fought to secure benefits for 9/11 families, and he treated our community with the respect and dignity we deserve. That’s the kind of leadership New York City needs again.” She added: “His opponent, Zohran Mamdani, proudly associates with Hasan Piker, a man who said ‘America deserved 9/11.’ To families like mine, that’s not politics, that’s life and death. His association with Hasan Piker disqualifies him to serve in any role for New York City, let alone one as important as Mayor. I am calling on Zohran Mamdani to disavow Hasan Piker and his hateful words.”
“I want to thank Wendi and Sal Turturici, and the other 9/11 families who dedicated, and in too many cases sacrificed, their lives to the people of New York,” Cuomo said. “Their support is deeply humbling to me. This is not just politics, this is personal. As Governor, I made a simple promise: we would always remember, and we would never walk away from the families, first responders, and survivors of 9/11. We extended benefits, provided care, and fought to ensure no family was left behind,” Cuomo continued. “Sal’s story is a reminder of why this work matters, those benefits saved lives and honored sacrifice. To have the trust of families like the Turturicis is a sacred responsibility that I will carry as Mayor: to protect New Yorkers, to do the hard work, and to deliver when it matters most. We remember those we lost. We honor those who responded. And together, we will continue to build a safer, stronger, more compassionate New York for tomorrow.”
As Governor, Andrew Cuomo built a long record of delivering for 9/11 families, survivors, and first responders. He fought to reauthorize and fund the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and when Washington delayed, directed state agencies to step in and provide interim support. He signed laws guaranteeing full workers’ compensation benefits for responders who became ill, secured unlimited sick leave for public employees who developed 9/11-related illnesses, and expanded pensions and survivor benefits for families of those who died or became disabled.
Cuomo also ensured that the memory of 9/11 was preserved with dignity and respect. He led annual memorial ceremonies, personally intervened to save the “Tribute in Light” during the pandemic, and supported the Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero. He expanded mental health services for survivors and responders living with PTSD, created streamlined access to health and compensation resources, and directed billions of dollars into counterterrorism and infrastructure security to protect New Yorkers from future threats.
From legislation to commemoration, Cuomo never wavered in his vow that “Always Remember” is not just a slogan but a solemn promise, a promise he says he will continue to honor as Mayor of New York City.
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