Adrienne Adams Challenges Cuomo and Eric Adams in NYC Mayoral Race

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has entered the combative New York City mayoral race, joining two high-profile opponents in a bid to influence the city’s future.

Key Takeaways

Adrienne Adams announced her candidacy for NYC mayor, challenging Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo.
She criticizes the current state of New York City, citing issues with affordability and City Hall governance.
Adrienne Adams aims to become the first woman to lead the city, emphasizing integrity and service.
The mayoral race heats up with Cuomo’s comeback amid his past controversies and Eric Adams’ corruption probe.

Adrienne Adams Joins Mayoral Race

Adrienne Adams, the first Black woman to serve as New York City Council Speaker, has declared her candidacy for mayor. Her announcement adds heat to an already competitive race featuring current Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Touting her track record, Adams criticized the current leadership and highlighted growing affordability issues as key reasons for her entry into the primary.

Adrienne Adams is poised to address what she perceives as “chaos” in City Hall. She accuses former President Donald Trump of undermining the city’s autonomy, and current governance as self-serving. This rhetoric resonates with many New Yorkers frustrated with ongoing struggles, including economic pressure and political scandals.

“Our city deserves a leader that serves its people first and always, not someone focused on themselves and their own political interests.” – Adrienne Adams, on the state of New York City

Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo: Current Rivals

With Eric Adams facing federal scrutiny and Andrew Cuomo seeking a political comeback, the stakes are high. Cuomo, who resigned as governor following sexual harassment allegations, contests that investigations were flawed, though he apologized for “offending” women. His mayoral bid is a move to reestablish his political footing, eyeing leadership at the city level.

The race develops amidst calls for Mayor Eric Adams’ resignation, following multiple deputy mayors exiting City Hall. As federal authorities seek to clear his charges to enlist his help with immigration, mayoral candidates like Brad Lander and Zoe Mamdani also join the fray.

How I’d rank the NYC Mayoral Candidates in the Primary (as of now):
1. Zellnor Myrie
2. Adrienne Adams (assuming she runs; she filed paperwork)
3. Jessica Ramos
4. Michael Blake
5. Scott Stringer
6. Brad Lander
7. Whitney Tilson
8. Andrew Cuomo
9. Eric Adams
10. Zohran Mamdani

— Mass_Dem (@Mass_Dem7) March 3, 2025

Adrienne Adams’ Vision for New York

If victorious, Adrienne Adams could become an influential leader as the first woman to helm New York City. Her campaign message centers on competent governance and addressing equity issues that have long plagued city residents. The upcoming Saturday rally marked the official start of her campaign, fueling speculation that has been rife since she filed her candidacy paperwork.

Adrienne Adams’ entry into the race raises the stakes for the upcoming primary, promising New Yorkers a choice in decisive leadership that prioritizes the people’s concerns. As the city navigates economic and governance challenges, her campaign aims to inspire hope and bring transformative change to New York’s political landscape.