New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, spoke with Politico on Thursday, asserting he won’t be stepping back from his mayoral campaign despite facing stiff competition from socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani.
According to recent polling, Adams finds himself trailing Mamdani, as well as former Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Swa. Although running as an independent, he has expressed intentions to remain in the race and portrayed his opponents as detrimental to the city’s progress.
A survey released in late July, funded by Mamdani’s campaign, indicated Adams had only 7% support, landing him in fourth place. Adams remarked during an interview in Gracie Mansion, “Anyone running for mayor who believes in advancing our city—well, that’s a clear call. Those who are running now are harmful to our progress, and I owe it to New Yorkers to share my vision with them.”
When asked whether Mamdani or Cuomo would be worse for the city, Adams expressed difficulty in choosing, calling both “very problematic.”
Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll revealed that Adams’ approval rating has fallen to an all-time low of 20%. He mentioned he believes that “history will be kind” to him when he eventually steps out of the political scene.
He stated, “When I leave the public eye in a decade or so, I’m confident history will remember me well. That’s what I’m fighting for.”
In September 2024, federal prosecutors indicted Adams on multiple counts related to bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy. Claims were made that he accepted inappropriate benefits from a foreign businessman and a Turkish official. However, the indictment was dismissed by a judge in April, who called it “biased.”
In a recent lawsuit, the Trump administration’s DOJ challenged Adams and the city over its immigration policies deemed “sanctuary.” Mamdani, seen as a significant contender in the mayoral race, is garnering support from younger voters, though he has faced scrutiny for some of his far-left positions and comments concerning Israel.
Despite the controversies, some members of the Democratic Party are keen on positioning Mamdani as a prominent figure in their ranks. Meanwhile, Adams voiced skepticism about the ability of either Cuomo or Mamdani to ensure safety in the city without collaboration with the Trump administration.
“How can they handle issues like international terrorism if they’re not working with the White House?” Adams queried. In response, a spokesman for Mamdani emphasized the candidate’s commitment to working for New Yorkers while resisting authoritarian pressures from Trump.
Reports noted that President Trump recently contacted Cuomo regarding the mayoral race, although Cuomo dismissed claims of the conversation. Cuomo’s representative touted the governor’s history of standing up for New York during the previous Trump administration. Meanwhile, the Adams campaign did not respond to inquiries for comment.
