New York City Mayor Eric Adams abandons the Democratic Party for his reelection bid, creating a potentially dramatic five-way race that includes former Governor Andrew Cuomo among his challengers.
Quick Takes
- Mayor Adams has announced his reelection campaign as an independent under the slogan “Safe Streets, Affordable City,” bypassing the Democratic primary.
- A federal judge recently dismissed a corruption case against Adams that involved allegations of accepting illegal contributions from Turkish officials.
- Adams must collect 15,000 signatures by May to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.
- Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo leads a field of nine Democrats challenging Adams, creating a potentially competitive five-way race.
- Adams has expressed willingness to work with President Trump on immigration policies while maintaining he has no interest in joining the Trump administration.
Breaking With Party But Not Its Values
Mayor Eric Adams has made a strategic pivot in his reelection campaign, announcing he will run as an independent under the banner “Safe Streets, Affordable City.” While abandoning the Democratic primary process, Adams insists he remains a Democrat in principle. The move comes after a federal judge dismissed a corruption case against him involving allegations of accepting illegal contributions and favors from Turkish officials. The case had cast a shadow over his administration and potentially complicated his reelection prospects.
Adams has positioned himself as a centrist focused on practical governance rather than partisan ideology. This approach aligns with his history as a former Republican who later became a centrist Democrat. The mayor faces significant challenges, including low approval ratings and fundraising difficulties. His campaign was previously denied public matching funds due to recordkeeping issues, creating additional hurdles for his reelection effort.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams will skip the Democratic primary and run for reelection as an independent https://t.co/42dyDT9d2s
— WJTV 12 News (@WJTV) April 3, 2025
The Appeal For Independence
In explaining his decision to run as an independent, Adams has emphasized his belief that New York City requires leadership free from the influence of political extremes. His campaign strategy appears designed to appeal to working and middle-class Black residents in Brooklyn and Queens, as well as unaffiliated and conservative voters who may appreciate his pragmatic approach to governance and willingness to work with the Trump administration on issues like immigration.
“I firmly believe that this city is better served by truly independent leadership, not leaders pulled at by the extremists at the far left or the far right, but instead those rooted in the common middle, the place where the vast majority of New Yorkers are firmly planted,” Eric Adams said.
Critics have dismissed Adams’ independent bid as self-serving. State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who may represent the Working Families Party in the race, denounced Adams’ move as desperate. State Senator Zellnor Myrie described the mayor’s campaign strategy as “a circus.” These reactions underscore the political risks Adams is taking by departing from traditional party structures in a city where Democratic registration vastly outnumbers Republicans.
A Crowded Field of Challengers
The mayoral race is shaping up as a potentially five-way contest. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo leads a field of nine Democrats challenging Adams, with strong support and fundraising advantages. Other potential contenders include Republican Curtis Sliwa, Working Families Party candidates like Zohran Mamdani or Brad Lander, and legal advocate Jim Walden. To secure his place on the ballot, Adams must collect 15,000 valid signatures by May, a significant undertaking for an independent candidate.
“Those are the issues that are important to New Yorkers, They want a safe city, they want an affordable city, and I want them to know that is what I produce for them,” Adams said.
Adams has criticized his opponents for “running from” their records on issues like bail reform and homelessness, while emphasizing his own focus on crime reduction and quality-of-life improvements. Despite speculation about potential opportunities in the Trump administration given his willingness to collaborate on immigration policies, Adams has firmly stated his commitment to remaining as mayor, describing it as “the greatest mayor job on the globe.”
Sources:
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams will skip the Democratic primary and run for reelection as an independent | AP News
- Mayor Adams’ ‘Safe Streets, Affordable City’ ballot tagline points to election strategy
- What Eric Adams’s Choice to Skip the Democratic Primary Means for Voters – The New York Times
