New York Mayor Eric Adams, weathered by scandal and sidelined from his party, officially kicked off his independent bid for a second term Thursday with a combative speech from City Hall, targeting rising Democratic star Zohran Mamdani as an out-of-touch ideologue with no real-world accomplishments.
Facing a turbulent political landscape that includes a dismissed corruption case, a departure from the Democratic primary, and vocal opposition from protesters, Adams sought to recast himself as the city’s blue-collar crusader, contrasting his gritty past with Mamdani’s academic upbringing.
“This election is a choice between a candidate with a blue collar,” Adams said, “and one with a silver spoon. A choice between dirty fingernails and manicured nails.”
RELATED STORIES
The sharp rebuke came just days after Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, shocked the political establishment by defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. Despite Cuomo’s past resignation over sexual misconduct allegations, he had been seen as the favorite, until Mamdani’s viral, youth-driven campaign overtook him with promises to tackle New York’s skyrocketing cost of living.
Watch a recent episode of The BreakDown podcast below and subscribe to our channel PanaGenius TV for latest episodes.
Now, Adams, still a registered Democrat but running as an independent since April, sees a strategic opening. By skipping a bruising primary and facing off against Mamdani in November, he’s positioning himself as the pragmatic alternative.
“I’m not interested in Twitter politics, I’m interested in getting the trash picked up,” Adams told supporters. “I’m not interested in slogans, I’m interested in solutions.”
The mayor’s campaign relaunch was not without tension. Protesters interrupted the event, one shouting “criminal” before being escorted away. As Adams took the podium, another heckler was quickly removed, underlining the mayor’s ongoing struggle to connect with some segments of the electorate.
Despite his legal troubles, a corruption indictment that was dropped by the Trump Justice Department, Adams leaned into his record, hoping to win over moderate voters and disaffected Cuomo supporters. His campaign drew backing from faith leaders and former officials, signaling an attempt to build a broader coalition beyond party lines.
Adams, 64, a former NYPD captain and Brooklyn borough president, often touts his “swagger” and rise from humble beginnings, the son of a house cleaner who became only the second Black mayor of New York City. He casts himself as the champion of working-class New Yorkers and public safety, values he believes still resonate.
READ ALSO: How NYC Mayor Eric Adams reacted after judge dismissed corruption case
Meanwhile, Mamdani, the son of an award-winning filmmaker and a Columbia University professor, represents a sharp generational and ideological contrast. A former foreclosure prevention counselor and part-time rapper, Mamdani was elected to the Assembly in 2020 and has since galvanized younger voters.
“New Yorkers have been suffocated by a cost of living crisis and this Mayor has taken almost every opportunity to exacerbate it,” Mamdani said Thursday, “all while partnering with Donald Trump to tear our city apart.”
As the city awaits the final results of its ranked-choice voting system, set to resume July 1, Adams continues his uphill battle. Although Democrats dominate the electorate, independents have prevailed before: Michael Bloomberg won a third term in 2009 after leaving the GOP.
Still, Adams must overcome deep skepticism. His ability to capture the center, especially among those wary of Mamdani’s progressive agenda, could decide the outcome, assuming Cuomo doesn’t complicate the race further by launching his own independent run.
For now, Adams has made clear he’s not backing down.
“The fight for New York’s future begins tonight,” he posted on social media earlier this week, a declaration that the race for City Hall is far from over.
