In a surprising turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared on Thursday that he would be dodging the Democratic primary and running for reelection as an independent candidate. This announcement arrived just a day after a federal judge dismissed his longstanding corruption case, a significant victory for Adams, which could potentially influence his political trajectory.
Adams, a Democrat in title, made this announcement through a six-minute video posted on his social media platform. In his statement, he said, “Although I am still a Democrat, I am announcing that I will forgo the Democratic primary for mayor and appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election.” The Mayor went on to add that there isn’t necessarily a liberal or a conservative way to fix New York. Instead, there exists a right and a wrong approach, and only real leaders with the guts to take it can discern the right path.
By choosing to run as an independent, Adams will sidestep the cluttered Democratic primary. This primary is expected to be a hotly contested race featuring several prominent figures, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The decision to run as an independent isn’t without precedent in New York City politics. Back in 1965, John Lindsay was reelected as an independent following his defeat in the Republican primary. Similarly, Michael Bloomberg managed to secure a third term as an independent after previously running as both a Republican and a Democrat.
However, Adams recognizes that his decision will not immediately restore public trust, especially considering his recent brush with the law. He said, “I know that the accusations leveled against me may have shaken your confidence in me, and that you may rightly have questions about my conduct.” He acknowledged that he placed trust in the wrong people, which he deeply regrets. Yet, he was quick to point out that the issues he faces are minuscule compared to the escalating costs, public safety concerns, and deep worries about the future that the citizens of New York face.
A poll released last week displayed Adams lagging behind Cuomo, state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and City Comptroller Brad Lander among Democratic primary voters. However, he had a slight advantage over former Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Senator Zellnor Myrie, state Senator Jessica Ramos, former Assemblyman Michael Blake, and activist Whitney Tilson.
Adams’ decision to run as an independent has left many in the Democratic primary bewildered. State Senator Zellnor Myrie voiced his confusion, saying, “If you’re reading the news this morning, you’re watching television [and] you’re scratching your head and saying, ‘What the hell is going on,’ you are not alone. I’m asking myself the same question. This is a complete circus.” City Comptroller Brad Lander was more cynical, expressing his belief that Adams would lose regardless of which election he runs in. Lander accused the Mayor of avoiding accountability from the New Yorkers that he “sold out.”
Former Assemblyman Michael Blake echoed Lander’s disappointment, saying, “The people voted for this man as a Democrat and he made it very clear he doesn’t care about us anymore, and so, it’s incredibly disappointing, but it’s not surprising.” Scott Stringer painted Adams as a political chameleon, saying, “Eric Adams hasn’t been a Democrat for a very long time.” Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani also contested Adams’ self-proclaimed independence, arguing that his record has shown anything but that.
However, not all reactions to Adams’ announcement were critical. Andrew Cuomo, a leading competitor in the Democratic primary, said, “They call it democracy. Mayor Adams can run as an independent if he chooses. He can run in the Democratic primary if he chooses. That’s up to Mayor Adams.”
Perhaps the person most delighted by Adams’ switch is Republican frontrunner Curtis Sliwa, who stated, “There’s no doubt that Eric Adams being an independent helps me.” When asked about Sliwa’s theory, Mayor Adams dismissed it offhand.
Political experts believe Adams made a strategic choice in avoiding the Democratic primary, thereby evading the potential criticisms and attacks from his competitors. Moreover, he can use the power of incumbency to make his case directly to the people. Political consultant O’Brien Murray said, “It’s a tough needle to thread. It is not going to be easy, but you have campaigns in threes. He has a record to run on. He now has a future to plan. He gets to pick the issues he wants to run on and make it the third one. It’s not going to be easy, but he had no chance to win the Democratic primary.”
With Adams out of the primary, the focus of attacks by the other candidates is expected to shift toward Cuomo. If Cuomo successfully navigates these attacks, it could set up a potential showdown between him and Adams in the general election in November. Despite Adams’ low poll numbers, Murray believes running as an independent provides the Mayor a better shot at retaining his position.
Mayor Adams certainly has his supporters who believe he will make a strong comeback. Ishmael Sanchez from the Bronx said, “Regardless of what party he’s affiliated with, he’s got a very good chance of coming ahead.” Bishop Erick Salgado echoed this sentiment, expressing his belief that despite the damage done, Adams will bounce back.
The mayor later said in an interview on Fox that he needs to rebuild trust among a voter base that may be “fatigued” by the political process. He acknowledged the widespread fatigue about affordability, the concerns about raising healthy children, and the overall exhaustion with the political process. However, he expressed his determination to transform this fatigue into the fighting spirit of New York.
The dismissal of Adams’ federal corruption case is a significant factor in this entire scenario. Judge Dale Ho acceded to the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to drop charges against Adams, and the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought up again at a later time.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, said, “The case against Eric Adams should have never been brought in the first place—and finally today that case is gone forever. From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed.”
In 2024, Adams was charged with abusing his power for almost a decade. A 57-page indictment accused him of receiving undisclosed gifts — including luxury travel — worth more than $100,000 in return for political favors. He allegedly solicited illegal campaign donations from wealthy foreigners and corporations, including a Turkish government official. Despite these charges, Adams pleaded not guilty.
With the dismissal of his corruption case and his decision to run as an independent, Mayor Eric Adams is charting a unique course in the complex political landscape of New York City. Only time will tell how this decision will impact his political career and the future of New York City.
