New Candidates Step Forward After NYC Mayor’s Indictment

Daily Report September 26,2024

The scandal bites Eric Adams, already set to face off against several Democratic mayoral challengers in 2025. The announcement, which came late Wednesday, rekindled political talk that additional candidates may run for mayor with Adams scrambling to keep his campaign afloat.

Adams, who has said he would continue leading New York even if indicted, says he will run for reelection — though his future remains uncertain. Several other candidates also already declared their entry into the race.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is already running against Adams and has been one of his leading critics, was among those at the front of the line. Lander called on Adams to resign, saying: “The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don’t have it.”

Lander was not alone. City Comptroller Scott Stringer, a former mayoral candidate who is considering another run, also said Adams should step down. Stringer said the city government would have to proceed ahead as the mayor takes on his legal battles.

“While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city,” Stringer said.

/div>

Others considering mayoral runs soon joined the chorus though, with State Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) calling for law enforcement to turn over body cameras to ensure video is preserved and shared in a “timely manner.”

Myrie, elected in 2018, was particularly disappointed with Adams, saying the news was “especially painful for so many Black New Yorkers who put our hope and faith in this Mayor. Myrie said that it was “a sad day for New York.”

Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is considering a run for mayor himself, also weighed in on calls for Adams to resign. In a statement, State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), who has jumped into the race, did not directly call for de Blasio’s resignation while blasting his administration and saying that “a new day for our city is long overdue.” Ramos declined to comment further when reached for her story and stated, “I’m not in the mood for dancing on anyone’s grave tonight.

The indictment of Adams also has people talking about whether it opens the door for former Governor Andrew Cuomo to re-enter politics. City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) has also considered running for mayor — but he told The Post he only would do so if Adams resigned of his own accord. Borelli and a lot of other people are definitely keeping an eye on this one.

While Adams controls his own position–at least for the moment–there are levers that could be pulled by Gov. Kathy Hochul to remove him from office before his term is served or undertake extraordinary steps, as warranted. In the meantime, Adams’ arrest sets up for an unpredictable 2025 race in New York City for mayor.