New York City is preparing for one of the most animated mayoral races in recent memory with an incumbent mayor facing a criminal indictment and an ever-growing list of challengers, The Hill reported on Thursday.
While Mayor Eric Adams is seeking a second term to lead America’s most populous city, more than a half dozen fellow Democrats are looking to use the former police chief’s legal troubles as a window for their own candidacy.
In September, Adams was hit with a five-count indictment accusing him of defrauding taxpayers out of $10 million in matching campaign funds and taking $123,000 in bribes in the form of travel perks from Turkish officials and nationals. The mayor has pleaded not guilty and vowed to remain in office.
"I think the appetite for disruptive politics is going to be with us through the mayoral election," Democratic strategist Basil Smikle told the outlet. "I think many voters see the mayor as a political disruptor."
The Democrat primary for the mayor’s office is not until June and already eight challengers have announced their intentions to unseat Adams.
Current New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson, New York State Senator Zellnor Myrle, New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, current city comptroller Brad Lander, and former New York Assemblyman Michael Blake have all declared their candidacy. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also expressed interested in restarting a career in New York politics but has yet to officially declare.
Adams has also come under fire for his public support of some of President-elect Donald Trump’s positions, particularly in regards to migrants who have committed crimes. Earlier in the month, Adams met with incoming border czar Tom Homan and discussed his willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration to curb the flow of illegal immigrants.
Adams' perceived flip-flop on the issue had been met with harsh rebuke from local New York officials. Democrat Deputy Council Speaker Diana Ayala told the New York Post Adams words were veering close to "harassment of these poor people."
"Quite frankly, I am disappointed about everything that is coming out of his mouth as of late. He needs to cut it out because we will fight that vigorously and its going to be a problem," Ayala said.
Last week, Adams lost a bid to narrow his five-count federal corruption indictment as a judge declined on Tuesday to dismiss a bribery charge related to luxury travel benefits provided by a Turkish official. The trial is scheduled for April of 2025.
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