The former governor has so far avoided face-to-face meetings with his Democratic rivals, who presently all trail him in the polls.

A super PAC supporting Mr. Cuomo has raised $10 million from business leaders and special interest groups that could benefit from his victory.

Andrew Cuomo is leading the Democratic primary race for mayor of New York City — but he may just be angling for a way to get back into politics so he can run for national office, analysts and political rivals say.