Eric Adams dismisses survey showing Cuomo ahead: ‘We don’t say Mayor Yang’
The upcoming June primary poses a significant challenge to the New York City mayor's reelection campaign, putting it in jeopardy.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams dismissed a recent third-party poll indicating he is trailing in the mayoral race and took aim at former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is currently leading the field.
“Polls don’t make mayors. People do,” Adams stated at an unrelated press conference on Monday, brandishing a printout of a February 10, 2021, article from The Independent that reported, ‘Andrew Yang opens up huge lead in race to be next New York City mayor.’
“Another Andrew,” Adams remarked. “In February, Andrew was kicking my rear. And you know what? We don’t say Mayor Yang. We say Mayor Adams.”
Yang, known for his unconventional 2020 presidential campaign, dominated the polls for several months until Adams overtook him in the May 2021 Democratic primary for the vacant mayoral seat.
This year, however, the narrative has shifted. Adams is facing challenges as an unpopular, indicted incumbent, in contrast to Andrew Yang, who was a newcomer to the political scene at the time. Cuomo, on the other hand, has statewide electoral experience behind him.
According to a poll of this year's Democratic primary published by PMG, Adams was tied for sixth place when likely voters were asked to select their first choice in the ranked-choice election. He garnered just six percent support, significantly trailing Cuomo, who topped the poll with 32 percent.
A sample ranked-choice ballot that excluded unsure respondents revealed Cuomo starting with 39 percent to Adams' 8 percent and ultimately winning in round five with 51 percent.
Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer followed Cuomo in second place in both scenarios.
The poll, conducted in December by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by Progressives for Democracy in America, aimed to assess which candidates could be competitive against the well-known former governor.
Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a report concluded he sexually harassed 11 women, allegations he denies. While he has not confirmed a run for mayor, discussions with potential staff are underway and an announcement may come next month.
Adams often shares his own underdog story as a former cop with dyslexia from a working-class background who became mayor despite initial poll struggles. Furthermore, he seemed to take a jab at Cuomo, who entered the political arena by working for his father, Mario Cuomo, a three-term governor.
“When you look at some of the people that ran office, they inherited empires. I didn’t,” Adams noted. “I didn’t inherit an empire. I had to start from the bottom, and now I’m here.”
He believes New Yorkers resonate with his journey and asserts that no one will outwork him in the upcoming mayoral race.
Other recent surveys have indicated a decline in Adams' support, particularly after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in September. Adams has pleaded not guilty and plans to seek reelection while facing trial.
Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi opted not to comment.
While Adams has generally avoided criticizing Cuomo directly, he recently hinted to PMG that he might challenge the former governor regarding his signing of legislation that altered the state’s bail process, which Adams argues contributed to a rise in crime.
Mayoral candidate Brad Lander echoed Adams' reference to Yang during a separate press conference.
“I looked back four years ago, and I saw that another Andrew at this point in the news cycle was on top of the polls,” Lander said.
“This is the very beginning of the mayoral race. I don’t believe that New Yorkers want another corrupt chaos agent at City Hall,” Lander asserted, referring to Cuomo. The city comptroller has emphasized the need to keep the former governor out of office.
In the poll by Progressives for Democracy in America, Lander ranked third, following Stringer at 10 percent, with both ahead of state Senator Jessica Ramos and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. — who has stated he is not running — at 7 percent. Adams and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani tied for sixth, each preferred by 6 percent of likely voters.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
“Polls don’t make mayors. People do,” Adams stated at an unrelated press conference on Monday, brandishing a printout of a February 10, 2021, article from The Independent that reported, ‘Andrew Yang opens up huge lead in race to be next New York City mayor.’
“Another Andrew,” Adams remarked. “In February, Andrew was kicking my rear. And you know what? We don’t say Mayor Yang. We say Mayor Adams.”
Yang, known for his unconventional 2020 presidential campaign, dominated the polls for several months until Adams overtook him in the May 2021 Democratic primary for the vacant mayoral seat.
This year, however, the narrative has shifted. Adams is facing challenges as an unpopular, indicted incumbent, in contrast to Andrew Yang, who was a newcomer to the political scene at the time. Cuomo, on the other hand, has statewide electoral experience behind him.
According to a poll of this year's Democratic primary published by PMG, Adams was tied for sixth place when likely voters were asked to select their first choice in the ranked-choice election. He garnered just six percent support, significantly trailing Cuomo, who topped the poll with 32 percent.
A sample ranked-choice ballot that excluded unsure respondents revealed Cuomo starting with 39 percent to Adams' 8 percent and ultimately winning in round five with 51 percent.
Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer followed Cuomo in second place in both scenarios.
The poll, conducted in December by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by Progressives for Democracy in America, aimed to assess which candidates could be competitive against the well-known former governor.
Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a report concluded he sexually harassed 11 women, allegations he denies. While he has not confirmed a run for mayor, discussions with potential staff are underway and an announcement may come next month.
Adams often shares his own underdog story as a former cop with dyslexia from a working-class background who became mayor despite initial poll struggles. Furthermore, he seemed to take a jab at Cuomo, who entered the political arena by working for his father, Mario Cuomo, a three-term governor.
“When you look at some of the people that ran office, they inherited empires. I didn’t,” Adams noted. “I didn’t inherit an empire. I had to start from the bottom, and now I’m here.”
He believes New Yorkers resonate with his journey and asserts that no one will outwork him in the upcoming mayoral race.
Other recent surveys have indicated a decline in Adams' support, particularly after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in September. Adams has pleaded not guilty and plans to seek reelection while facing trial.
Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi opted not to comment.
While Adams has generally avoided criticizing Cuomo directly, he recently hinted to PMG that he might challenge the former governor regarding his signing of legislation that altered the state’s bail process, which Adams argues contributed to a rise in crime.
Mayoral candidate Brad Lander echoed Adams' reference to Yang during a separate press conference.
“I looked back four years ago, and I saw that another Andrew at this point in the news cycle was on top of the polls,” Lander said.
“This is the very beginning of the mayoral race. I don’t believe that New Yorkers want another corrupt chaos agent at City Hall,” Lander asserted, referring to Cuomo. The city comptroller has emphasized the need to keep the former governor out of office.
In the poll by Progressives for Democracy in America, Lander ranked third, following Stringer at 10 percent, with both ahead of state Senator Jessica Ramos and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. — who has stated he is not running — at 7 percent. Adams and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani tied for sixth, each preferred by 6 percent of likely voters.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
