Mayor Adams’ Disappearing Act

Mayor Eric Adams has gone quiet on the campaign front, leading to speculation about whether he might be reconsidering his reelection bid. This unusual absence stretched into a fifth day, raising eyebrows among voters and supporters alike.

Within the Adams campaign, confusion reigns. Even his staff and close allies seem unsure about what the mayor is planning, with one campaign official responding to questions about his empty calendar with just a smiley face emoji.

Despite missing out on campaign events, Adams did find time to meet with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Wednesday. This meeting seemed to take precedence over his own campaign responsibilities.

“It’s almost like the internal dynamics are shifting things for him,” remarked one insider, adding that the mayor’s focus appears more on external engagements than his own race.

Adams has repeatedly stated that he is still in the running for mayor. Nevertheless, his apparent detachment from the campaign trail may suggest otherwise, particularly with just a month remaining until the election in November.

Polling indicates Adams, identifying as an independent Democrat, is struggling in the race. He currently sits in fourth place, behind frontrunner socialist Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Those concerned about a socialist candidate like Mamdani have tried to convince Adams and Sliwa to adopt a more collaborative approach to the race. A Democratic source mentioned that donors are losing patience with Adams and Cuomo for not handling the campaign more gracefully.

One insider commented, “I think he’s just doing his own thing without much regard for traditional campaign protocols.” This feeling of frustration seems to permeate amongst those who support him.

The energy around Adams’ campaign appears to be dwindling, with supporters seemingly giving up hope of building momentum. Just this month, only a modest $4,000 was raised for a Super PAC supporting him.

A lonely donor expressed skepticism, saying they would try to reach out again later, but it feels like the chances of revitalizing support for Adams are slim. Campaign finance records indicate that his pro-Adams PAC, Empower NYC, has issued minimal communications, while Mamdani and Cuomo’s supporters have been much more active, launching over 20 campaign ads and messages since the last outreach from Adams’ group.

Interestingly, while avoiding the campaign spotlight, Adams seems to be fully engaged in other activities as mayor. Instead of rallying voters recently, he was spotted dining at a well-known restaurant. He also mingled with television hosts during the UN General Assembly, sharing moments on social media.

Moreover, Adams drew some laughs online for his appearance in a striking robe during a Brooklyn event, leading to humorous comparisons to characters like Gandalf. Various social media users commented on his outfit, some joking about how out of touch it felt.

When questioned about his absence from campaign events, a spokesperson emphasized that Adams is focused on his official duties, particularly during UN Week.