Super PACs backing Mayor Eric Adams’ re-election campaign are taking aim at Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo. New digital ads are criticizing these city hall contenders for being too lenient on crime.
Short, paid advertisements from Empower NYC target Mamdani, a Democrat running for mayor, and Cuomo, now an independent candidate, suggesting they both have a soft stance on public safety.
“Who’s aiding criminals the most?” one narrator asks in the ad.
It continues by stating, “Cuomo has allowed 24 police officers’ killers to be released. Mamdani claims, ‘We’re shutting down the prison.’” It also mentions Cuomo’s bail reforms, with Mamdani supposedly declaring, “We will demolish the police station.”
The ads argue that the two share more similarities with each other than they do with everyday citizens.
A second ad portrays both Cuomo and Mamdani as two sides of the same coin. One narration critiques Cuomo’s bail reform law, which the ad claims has repeatedly returned offenders to the streets and diminished police funding. Cuomo had signed New York’s contentious 2019 bail reforms.
“Mamdani wants to fire a police officer,” the narrator adds.
This latest ad campaign coincided with President Trump’s recent executive order that threatens to cut funding to states and cities that implement cashless bail for most “non-violent” offenses, a situation that mirrors what’s happening in New York.
Cuomo has faced backlash over the bail reform law he initially approved, which his successor, Kathy Hochul, has since rolled back. The police union has also criticized the state parole board that Cuomo appointed for allowing the release of individuals convicted of killing police officers.
In response to accusations about being anti-law enforcement, Mamdani has supported previous calls for a “refund for police.”
Another group, Protecting Parents, has mobilized thousands of voters to criticize Cuomo while praising the current mayor.
After losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, Cuomo is now running as an independent and claims that his potential election as mayor would result in the addition of 5,000 new police officers to the NYPD.
Abe George, founder and CEO of Empower NYC, has reported spending six figures on social media ads designed to highlight the differences between Adams’ approach to public safety, Mamdani’s rhetoric, and Cuomo’s record as governor.
This Super PAC has reportedly raised over $1 million from affluent cryptocurrency backers.
“We want voters to recognize who’s the strongest candidate for public safety. That’s Eric Adams,” George, a prominent lawyer, stated.
He added, “Cuomo is attempting to redefine his record. The bail reform he introduced is one of the most perilous laws regarding public safety.”
Richard Azzopaldi, a spokesperson for the Cuomo campaign, remarked, “Mamdani will proudly advocate for police refunds and legislation to decriminalize prostitution, all while responding to domestic violence calls.”
Further, Azzopaldi criticized Adams, implying that he isn’t an effective candidate for law and order, highlighting issues related to the NYPD’s morale and overall public safety.
He added, “Cuomo and Adams are holding onto outdated politics while seeking support from high-profile figures like Donald Trump.”
The group Fix The City, supporting Cuomo, raised a remarkable $126 million last week, showing strong backing since the Democratic primary this June.
Mamdani is seen as a frontrunner, likely to win the mayoral race after defeating Cuomo in the primary, which Adams opted out of. Recent polling indicates that Mamdani is leading both Cuomo and Republican contenders like Curtis Sliwa by double digits.
