Disgraced New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he will seek re-election in the fall- this time running as an Independent. One of the nation’s most high-profile municipal Democrats has turned his back on a party that rejected him last year following a slew of corruption charges- all of which have been recently dropped without prejudice.
The mayor had pleaded not guilty in September, after allegations arose he had accepted free travel and donations from Turkish political entities in exchange for advancing their interests in New York. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul declined to remove him from office, allowing him to finish out his term and run again in September as an incumbent- albeit from a different party. With the charges dismissed- and possible endorsement or support from President Trump following immigration policy compliance- he may just make his comeback. Adams currently holds 8% support for the position, putting him in third place.
Another surprising player in 2025 is former Democratic Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, a position from which he resigned in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment. Due to investigations by the NY attorney general, Cuomo harassed as many as 11 women while in gubernatorial office. Cuomo tops the tacit ticket with 30% support as the candidates begin their grueling trail. His comeback is evidence of two political realities- name recognition is paramount, and our collective memory is that of a goldfish: practically nonexistent and hazy where it counts. New York City should be ashamed of itself for supporting a man who ordered 9,000 COVID-19 patients to be released from hospitals and into nursing homes, spreading the infection to a vulnerable elderly population.
A lone spot of red in a crowded blue field is scarlet-beret-clad Curtis Sliwa, cycle mainstay and founder of the Guardian Angels, a civilian group that worked to stop subway violence from the late 1970s through the early 90s. Ironically, the father of fellow candidate Cuomo once called the organization “a better expression of morality than our city deserves.” No fan of the President, Sliwa may find himself down on endorsement luck, save a trademark Trumpian reconciliation in the next seven months.
The remainder of the field is filled out by one additional Independent candidate, lawyer Jim Walden, and a list of Democratic hopefuls as random and lengthy as the 2024 GOP Presidential primary. As the race progresses, many will drop out never to be heard from again, and the remainder will jockey for positions in the victor’s administration.
The New York Times announced last fall that they will no longer make endorsements in local elections, saving their recommendations instead only for Presidential candidates. In past cycles, they have likewise weighed in on Congressional, Senatorial, and local races. Without the paper of record, it will be interesting to see how the vacuum fills itself. Niche special interest groups will now have a greater chance of playing for keeps, and representation for all New Yorkers may lost to history.
How do you feel about the Mayoral race for 2025? Do disgraced candidates Eric Adams or Andrew Cuomo have a chance at securing the nomination?
Hilary Gunn is a Connecticut native with a degree in Criminal Justice from the George Washington University. She works for a nonprofit and has previously collaborated with the CT GOP as an activist, political campaign manager and field director, and social media organizer. She is currently serving in her fourth term of municipal office and has previously acted as a delegate on the Republican Town Committee.