Mayor Eric Adams already has several Democratic challengers in the 2025 election, and his shocking indictment may encourage even more to run.
Governor Adams vowed to continue leading New York after news of the indictment broke Wednesday night, but it remains to be seen whether he will forgo reelection.
Many of Adams' political opponents, including several already-announced candidates for mayor in 2025, were among the first to call for him to resign.
Several others who had been considering running for mayor joined the call to resign.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, an outspoken critic of Adams who is already on the campaign trail, quickly called on Hizzoner to drop out of the campaign.
“The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust, and right now they don't have that,” Lander said in a statement.
He is joined by fellow liberal and former city comptroller Scott Stringer, who is currently “considering” running for mayor after his unsuccessful 2021 bid.
“While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, we need to focus on the business of the city,” Stringer said.
The former city comptroller recently reopened a defamation lawsuit against a woman who accused him of sexual assault.
Several current state legislators have already announced their candidacy for mayor, quickly adding their names to the growing list of politicians calling for Adams to step down immediately.
Eric Adams Indicted: Updates after New York City Mayor is Indicted
State Sen. Zellweger (D-Brooklyn) called for Adams' resignation, saying news of the indictment was “particularly painful for the many black New Yorkers who place their hopes and trust in this mayor.”
Miley was first elected to represent her central Brooklyn district in 2018.
Democratic Socialist Party lawmaker Zohran Mamdani is also considering running and joined the calls for his resignation on Wednesday night.
One previously announced opponent who let her guard down following news of Adams' indictment was state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens).
The progressive state senator released a statement criticizing the Adams administration, concluding that “a new era for our city is long overdue.”
“I'm not interested in dancing on anyone's grave tonight,” Ramos told the Post.
One of the most intriguing questions raised by Adams' indictment is whether former Gov. Andrew Cuomo will see his long-rumored return to politics.
A spokesman for Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post on Wednesday evening, but political sources had told The Post for months that the former governor had viewed the allegations against Adams as a green light to enter the race.
Cuomo resigned from his third term as governor in 2021 after a series of sexual harassment accusations and other scandals, including his handling of COVID-19. He continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Another politician who could enter the fray is Staten Island City Councilman Joe Borelli (R).
Borelli told The Washington Post after news of the indictment broke Wednesday night that he would only consider running if Adams voluntarily resigned.
Adams can continue to serve while he is under federal indictment.
Only Gov. Kathy Hockal could replace Adams, and she has the authority to take the extraordinary step of removing him from office before the end of his term.
